Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I know it is not but the Leas-Chathaoirleach allowed Senator Regan to make allegations against our Taoiseach. I am rebutting those comments in the name of fairness and balance, separate from today's debate. When it is allowed on one side it is fair to allow it on the other side. I make no reflection on Mr. Bruton, who is an honourable man, as is our current Taoiseach. Whatever events take place in the Mahon tribunal are a matter for that tribunal.

I would like to return to the beginning of our membership of the European Union. The application was made by the late, great Mr. Seán Lemass, as Taoiseach in the early 1960s. Ireland was the first country outside the original six to apply for membership, and that is relevant. It indicates Fianna Fáil's forward-looking approach to the EU. The late Mr. Jack Lynch and former President Dr. Paddy Hillary were involved in the negotiations, and our membership was acceptable to the Irish people. I need not emphasise how important involvement in the EU has become for Ireland. The reform treaty is crucial to continuing and developing that involvement and Ireland is in the unique position of holding a referendum on the ratification of the treaty. The Attorney General will confirm that it is necessary for us to hold the referendum to ratify this important treaty.

It is vital that the public be fully informed of the implications of this long and complex document. Only then can we have an honest and informed debate on the question which will be put to the people in the forthcoming referendum. The Joint Committee on European Affairs, of which I am a member, has discussed a public awareness and information campaign and I hope to see a genuine debate in the media and the public arena. The Chairman will announce this in a press conference tomorrow to begin the campaign from the committee's point of view.

On institutional reform, the principal proposals of the treaty include a double majority voting system whereby a qualified majority will require 55% of the member states and 65% of the EU's population. Membership of the European Commission will be rotational and each member state will appoint a commissioner for ten out of every 15 years. This will reduce our influence on European policy formulation on occasions but is probably necessary for the efficient working of an ever expanding organisation. The rotations will be strictly equal between all states, large and small. I commend the tremendous contribution of Ireland's European Commission appointments to the increased successes of the European Union, most notable recently in the great respect in which Commissioner Charlie McCreevy is held throughout Europe.

The post of President of the European Council will be better defined and elected on a more permanent basis than the current six month rotation. This will give more stability and direction to the role and therefore to the European Council. We have been fortunate in the appointments of all governments to the Commission. This country has been well served by all the Commissioners, although they are also serving Europe.

There will be increased co-operation between states in justice and home affairs. Ireland has secured the right to elect whether to opt in to these proposals on a case by case basis. This decision by Ireland will be reviewed in three years' time and in the meanwhile we will seek to participate to the maximum possible extent in all co-operation in judicial and police criminal matters, co-operation which is likely to become increasingly necessary due to the borderless nature of modern day crime. We have secured the best possible arrangements for Ireland in this area by leaving the door open to necessary co-operation without compromising our legal system. I compliment Deputy Roche on his work on this.

The treaty will give a formal direct role to national parliaments for the first time in the history of European institutions. This will mean all EU legislative proposals will be forwarded to national parliaments for scrutiny and comment. This will formalise the already increasing role that these Houses play in discussing European matters. The Joint Committee on European Scrutiny, of which I am a member, is dealing with an enormous backlog of legislation which we are trying to clear as much as possible. It gives our Parliament a great opportunity to discuss European legislation and is a democratic approach to European affairs. It gets little coverage, nevertheless it is happening.

The Charter of Fundamental Rights will be given legal status under the reform treaty and it will formalise targets to combat climate change, something with which very few people will disagree. Ireland has been an enthusiastic member of Europe. We have benefited immensely from our involvement in the EU and are seen by new member states as a case study in the transformation of an economy. Irish people are well informed about Europe and I have no doubt they will choose wisely. I suspect people will embrace the new treaty, provided they are given full, cast-iron assurances that certain elements of our sovereignty will be untouched. The low rate of corporation tax of 12.5% was a key factor in our recent economic success and the ability to set our own tax rates in the future is sacrosanct and must remain so. One of the declared aims of the EU is to facilitate and encourage competition in all sectors and the forced harmonisation of tax rates and interference with Ireland's competitive rates would be surely anti-competitive. The Minister will play an important role, as he did in the second Nice treaty referendum, where he secured a majority vote. It is vital that this be part of his campaign and that our ability to set competitive tax rates be copper-fastened. People will consider this issue more than most when they vote in the referendum.

Our tradition of neutrality is also crucial. While I suspect the Irish Defence Forces would relish the opportunity to work with their European counterparts, as the Irish Army will soon be doing in Chad, it is vital that any such joint EU operations, which receive broad support, do not bypass the triple-lock mechanism by which the Irish Defence Forces require the approval of the UN, the Irish Government and the Dáil.

The Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern will sign this treaty tomorrow in Lisbon. I understand the Minister of State will accompany The Taoiseach to that historic event. Although a date for the referendum has not yet been set it is never too early to encourage public debate on the treaty. Because we will hold a referendum on the treaty, 4 million people in Ireland will decide the future of an institution with an overall population of 490 million people. That is a significant opportunity and responsibility. Every vote will count. All of us in this democracy are equally entitled to express our concerns and vote for what we feel is in the best interests of this State, ourselves, our families, our communities and Europe.

There must be a fully informed debate on all the proposals of the treaty. While I commend the work of the Government, particularly the senior statesman of Europe, The Taoiseach Deputy Bertie Ahern, in negotiating the treaty, and I intend to fully and strongly support the ratification of the treaty by the people of Ireland, I accept there may be legitimate reasons for opposing the reforms and this must be fully discussed. We are on the threshold of a major step forward for Europe and Ireland has a crucial role as a country to which new member states and aspiring member states look for economic inspiration and as the only country in which the citizens will have direct role in shaping the future of Europe. We have no shortage of experience in European referenda. A disappointing turnout in the first of the Nice treaty referenda was the likely reason for the treaty being rejected by a small margin, with 54% voting no. This decision was convincingly overturned by the people in the second referendum with a more representative turnout and a 63% yes vote. I therefore urge all voters to inform themselves of the proposals of this treaty, to consider the implications and to vote on the treaty when the referendum is held. It represents a step forward for Europe and for Ireland. Whether we vote yes or no, there will be no second opportunity and people must not be complacent. The treaty has been fully negotiated and 27 member states have agreed to it. Some 26 Parliaments will vote for it because they have already negotiated a treaty.

It is not possible to go back to the drawing board, review the decision and say "No". I urge everyone to vote "Yes" on the day of the referendum as it is in the best interests of the country. Given the Minister of State's experience, especially as regards his efforts during the second Nice Treaty and the manner in which he worked that campaign, his input is vital to the success of the referendum, in explaining the role of this treaty on the lives and future of the Irish people.