Shane Ross (Independent)

Penalty points may not be an appropriate issue for the House today. On another topic, the Senators who spoke about the serious developments with regard to the breach in the Stability and Growth Pact in Europe deserve to be heard. There must be a hearing because, as Senator Dardis said, Ireland received a serious ticking off for breaching the rules. Why should we put up with the bullying tactics of France and Germany? Why are there different rules for the French and the Germans? There is no point in being an equal member of a community dominated by the French and the Germans. The rules are breached every time their economies experience trouble or they have electoral and referendum reasons for doing something. It is time to send the message that we are not prepared to put up with this and will vote against the European constitution if we have to. We do not wish to do so but we are opposed to such behaviour.