Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I have asked twice for a debate on the Lisbon treaty. Last week, I raised the issue of the date for the referendum on the treaty. The debate is important because the treaty is important to the country. We must rule out the scare tactics, personalised attacks and accusations of misinformation that have been to the fore to date. By having a debate in the House, we could put our stamp on the issue because if we move away from the personalised attacks and examine the key issues such as democratic deficit, neutrality and sovereignty on a correct information basis, all those arguments can be won, as they were during the previous referendum campaigns. It is important that the debate takes place.

I refute categorically what Senator Ross said. It does not do him any credit to try to frustrate and block debate. Corruption in Irish politics is of fundamental importance and corruption at the top is of even more importance. Where Ministers and the Taoiseach have sought to undermine a tribunal of inquiry set up by the Oireachtas, it is incumbent on us, and it is our obligation, to uphold the integrity and independence of that tribunal. I tabled a motion on this issue in early October 2007 because of the attempts made to undermine the tribunal. If the issue is not debated in both Houses, the Oireachtas will not fulfil its function.