Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

My party is concerned about No. 2 on the basis it was not originally scheduled to be taken before the Air Navigation and Transport (Indemnities) Bill and our justice spokesperson has not had an opportunity to research the motion. Will the Leader consider taking the Bill first to give our spokesperson an opportunity to conduct some research into the motion?

Yesterday reference was made to the National Roads Authority's policy on service stations on new motorways. The sentiment of the House was that it was an unwise policy. The NRA's annual report states service stations should not be built beside motorways. The distance between Portlaoise and Dundalk is 150 km and no service station has been built on the route. The national roads policy is contradictory in that towns are bypassed while filling stations are not built on motorways, which means juggernauts are forced to stream through small towns. The NRA should rethink the policy and examine the German experience of filling stations at least every 16 km along roads that are more modern than ours. These would be the sentiments of the House in advance of the NRA's meeting today.

An important European summit is taking place over the next few days, which will mainly examine the seven year budgetary strategy. We would all concede that the constitution has taken a battering on the basis of its rejection by the French and Dutch populations. It seems that Britain, the Czech Republic, Denmark and even Ireland may reject the constitution. Luxembourg also has reservations. It is, therefore, time for a reflective phase in Europe. I do not share the optimism of Ministers that we could proceed with the referendum and ratify the constitution after the rejections in France and Holland. We must park the matter for a period and determine whether sentiments on the issues that made people vote against the constitution could shift in Europe.

An important decision is being taken in the budgetary strategy meeting. Britain and France are rowing about the annual rebate Britan receives, arising from an agreement entered into in the time of Margaret Thatcher back in 1984. Britain receives two thirds of the funds it gives Europe on an ongoing basis because it did not feel it was the beneficiary of agricultural subsidies at the time. We have progressed since then. Britain is maintaining this type of policy and says it will not budge unless those subsidies are reduced. I remind Members that we met yesterday with representatives of a farming body in Buswells Hotel, who indicated the crisis in the dairy industry. These types of prices will become binding if Britain gets its way in Europe. It is time for reflection on the European constitution and the Government must consider whether it will go ahead with a referendum. If it does, Ireland may get a bloody nose.