Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

Senator Cassidy was quite inaccurate in what he said. Fine Gael has taken a most proactive approach, as emphasised by the huge number of public meetings we have held, which thousands of people attended. If there has been any delay in selling the merits of the Lisbon treaty, it has been on the Government side of the House. The Government has been very slow in circulating the kind of information people need. The level of ignorance about the Lisbon treaty and its merits is worrying. The treaty has not been sold by the Government at all. For the Leader of the House to say what he said last week to Fine Gael — the party that has done so much to promote the merits of the treaty — was very inappropriate and inaccurate. I ask the Leader to acknowledge the work that has been done throughout the country by Members on this side of the House. We are very aware of how important it is for Ireland that this treaty be ratified. We are anxious that it be supported by the people and are very concerned about the lack of information. I look forward to the Leader's response.