Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

The reason other member states do not have referenda is because they do not consider that the treaty has constitutional implications. It is also a question of sovereignty that each member state in accordance with its constitutional traditions will decide how it adopts treaty changes. This is an important point.

With regard to the Lisbon treaty, I wish to take up the remarks of Senator Fitzgerald and those made by the Leader last week. I imagine his remarks about the approach of Fine Gael to the Lisbon treaty were made in the heat of the moment. However, I ask the Leader to withdraw those remarks and correct the record of the House. Fine Gael has been consistent on the Lisbon treaty and all previous treaties. We do not allow domestic political issues to get in the way and distract from what is in the interests of the country.

Last week I did not have the opportunity to say a few words about the late President Hillery. I worked with him in his cabinet 34 years ago. He established the Irish presence in Brussels as we entered the EEC and he showed an independence and professionalism which has stood the test of time and has benefited Ireland in our 35 years of membership. I accompanied him, along with a former Senator, Neville Keery, when he addressed the Oxford Union in 1974. It was on this evening one of the major bombing incidents occurred. As a Senator, it was an honour for me to attend the State funeral of a man of honour and integrity.

On an entirely different subject, we must discuss in this House the statements made by the outgoing Taoiseach and the incoming Taoiseach on the Tribunals of Inquiry Act. I believed the resignation of the Taoiseach drew a line in the sand with regard to the preoccupation of this House and the Lower House with the Mahon tribunal. Based on the statements made by the incoming Taoiseach yesterday, it seems a continuous effort will be made, and it will be his policy, to undermine the Mahon tribunal, ostensibly by calling into question the very legislation by which tribunals are appointed and which gives the power to the Oireachtas to determine the terms of reference of tribunals.

We all agree the tribunals have gone on too long. However, we must also agree it has been difficult and has taken a long time to get to the truth of the finances of former Taoisigh and Ministers. I do not want to prolong the discussion on this. However, I must ask the Leader whether it is the intention of the incoming Taoiseach and his Ministers to continue the process of undermining the Mahon tribunal by calling into question the Tribunal of Inquiries Act which the Standards in Public Office Commission and our ethics legislation have clearly outlined is essential to restore confidence in the political system.