Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

That is fair enough.

I will be voting "yes" on 12 June. I do not need to emphasise how important Irish involvement in the European Union has become. The reform treaty is crucial to continuing and developing that involvement and Ireland is in the unique position of holding a referendum on its ratification. Consequently, 4 million people in Ireland will effectively decide the future of an institution with an overall population of nearly 500 million people. All eyes in Europe will be on Ireland on the day of the referendum, most likely 12 June.

Three of the main objections to the treaty have been dealt with comprehensively in many fora. There is simply no way in which the Lisbon treaty will undermine our sovereignty in matters of military activity or taxation. The Minister of State outlined this clearly today, as has the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in light of the comments of the French finance Minister, Christine Lagarde, reported in The Irish Times today. I compliment the Minister of State, Dick Roche, on his clear statement today. It is very important that it be clear. I wonder why the French are endeavouring to undermine our campaign on the reform treaty. While the issue has been raised, it has been dealt with comprehensively by the Minister of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs. The remaining members of the Government will do so in due course.

The reform treaty will not affect domestic policy or matters such as abortion. Nothing that happens at the meeting of the Council of Europe next week regarding Ms Gisela Wurm's proposal on abortion will have a bearing on Ireland or jurisdiction therein. Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament, clearly stated this in the House this morning in his excellent, passionate and well-informed speech. It was great to have him present. He made a very clear statement on many issues has been a great help. I hope his speech is published widely in Ireland.

There are many campaigns currently under way to inform the public about the treaty. In the coming weeks, the Joint Committee on European Affairs, of which I am a member, will hold open public meetings around the country at which experts will speak on the implications of the treaty. When the Referendum Commission is established, it will undertake its own independent campaign to inform voters of the issues at stake. Those who advocate a "no" vote on the grounds that there is insufficient information available should open their eyes to the vast amount of information available on-line, in the media and from public representatives. The documentation of the Minister of State is very helpful in this regard. All the arguments have been dealt with comprehensively and very useful speaking notes have been provided for anyone making a contribution on radio or television.

Contrary to some assertions made by witnesses to the Joint Committee on European Affairs earlier today, hard copies of the text of the treaty are available free of charge to the public throughout the country in all public libraries and at other locations. The document would be practically impossible to send to every household because it is so long, large and comprehensive.

Those who advocate a "no" vote simply on the grounds that the treaty is too complex and the text too long should realise that the treaty's purpose is to improve and develop the co-operation between 27 member states consisting of almost 500 million people in a very diverse range of areas. If such a document were short and simple, then there would be something to worry about.

There is no confusion over what the main implications of the treaty will be. The main features are clear and generally unobjectionable. They include a new voting system in the Council of Ministers to make decision-making more effective; a greater role for national parliaments in the Union's activities; a rotating system of membership of the European Commission, equal to all members. Eighteen Commissioners will be chosen from the 27 member states but this will not come into force until 2014. There will be equality in that each member state, for a period of five years out of 15, will not have a Commissioner, but there will be representation at the Council of Ministers. There is no change in this regard. This was decided ultimately by the Council of Ministers, as I know having represented the country in respect of the Single European Act.

Other main features of the treaty include a full-time President of the European Council to co-ordinate and chair EU summit meetings, appointed on a 2.5-year basis. I hope we will have a very suitable, qualified and idea candidate for this role when the treaty is approved. We all wish our potential candidate well. He is one of the most experienced politicians in Europe. I refer to the outgoing and wonderful Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern.

The treaty will also make provision for a High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who will bring greater coherence to the Union's approach to foreign policy. There is to be a Charter of Fundamental Rights which is to be given legally binding status. These are all very positive features and can be adopted comprehensively and with great satisfaction. In the negotiations, Ireland succeeded in achieving its key priorities, including maintaining unanimous decision-making on tax matters; ensuring balance in the Union's institutions and equality with regard to membership in the Commission; and protecting Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality.

The Lisbon reform treaty is not a self-amending treaty, as some claim. The provisions for simplified amendment of EU treaties clearly state that every alteration must be ratified "according to the constitutional requirements of each member state". Out of the 27 member states, Ireland is unique in that its citizens will be asked to vote on ratification. I hope the referendum will be on 12 June. The treaty is our treaty and this is why it is so important that voters be well informed. The campaign on the treaty is very exciting because ratification is now the most vital issue in Europe. All eyes in Europe will be on Ireland on referendum day. We must be at the centre of decision-making in Europe. By voting "yes" in the referendum, we will be maintaining our position. Anything less than a "yes" vote will be totally unacceptable, not to our 26 partners but for the future of this country, including the future of employment. Our position and strength in Europe will be guaranteed by voting "yes" in the referendum. If we vote "no", it will be a slap in the face to the Union, which has given us so much since 1973.

Membership has changed this country totally, as outlined by the Minister of State in great detail. The changes to the structures of the European Union are necessary to update the workings of an institution which was designed for less than ten member states but now consists of 27 states and will expand further, to the benefit of all members. For example, the creation of the position of President of the European Council will mean there will be greater continuity than there is currently with the six-month rotating Presidency system. Giving national Parliaments a greater role will address any perceptions of a democratic deficit in the legislative process of the EU.

The role of the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny will be expanded to ensure everyone has a say in that regard. Today I attended a meeting of that committee where all the European legislation was brought forward and will be sent to different committees of these Houses for processing and consideration.

It is wonderful that all legislation being published by the European Union will now come to each independent Parliament for consideration and we will have certain rights, yellow cards, etc. I compliment the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, on his negotiating skills in this regard. He played a pivotal role in negotiating this treaty in Europe. I am confident we will get it through but it will need our combined efforts. I am delighted most of the parties in this House are in favour of the treaty and it shows the wisdom of the electoral process and the democratic system.