Shane Ross (Independent)

A housing boom continues. That is one of the reasons. At the same time, we have been riding the American boom. The Americans have a disdain for social partnership. Multinationals have been the engine of the growth for the economy.

What will this constitution do for Ireland? I see what the European Union has done for Ireland in the past. It has been fantastic and a net payer to us. In the past, we have been enthusiastic Europeans because we received money from the arrangement. The moment we saw that the money was disappearing, we voted against the Nice treaty. If this constitution is to be passed, a hard rather than soft sell is needed from the Minister. He said there is no need to be frightened because the changes will not be significant. This is a soft sell which asks that people vote yes because they will not be injured by so doing. We need to know the positive elements for us or we will enter a vacuum of a campaign which may end in defeat because those who are negative will raise the same taboos as before. The Minister's speech betrayed a lack of conviction about the specific benefits for Ireland, while making a good historical case for past benefits.