Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

The Lisbon treaty involves a set of organisational and administrative changes that will properly organise a Europe of 500 million people and 27 member states. The directional shift in the treaty is towards greater democracy, greater participation by individuals, greater participation by member states and greater participation by national parliaments. The individual is put centre stage by the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which has 54 articles that set out the rights of the individual in a range of areas. This is a very reassuring document and I am disappointed by people who are not aware of its merits.

National parliaments will have an enhanced role through the treaty and will be given advance notice of legislative proposals. The Seanad will have one of 54 votes as a house of a national parliament and if 18 votes from either upper or lower houses of national parliaments are cast in a particular direction legislation must be reviewed. In matters of criminal law 13 votes can effect a review of legislation. This is called the yellow card system. At present the Seanad has no legislative safeguard relating to blocking European legislation but this system will change that. This is a significant alteration of our current status.

The European Parliament will be strengthened and will have a greater say in budgetary affairs, which is a welcome further democratisation of Europe. This treaty will bring about administrative change to cope with greater numbers and democratisation to shift power to the regions and to the people. I contend that this treaty represents an advance in these areas and I congratulate Senator Boyle on identifying this.

A number of misconceptions exist regarding the effects the Lisbon treaty will allegedly have on this country. In the area of tax harmonisation we will retain our veto and unanimity must prevail in this respect. It is disingenuous of my distinguished and erudite colleague, Senator Ross, to suggest the French and Germans will start talking about tax harmonisation when the Lisbon treaty has passed. Of course they will; that is the nature of politics. Irrespective of whether we pass the Lisbon treaty, some elements in Europe will favour tax harmonisation. We know how much Irish national interests depend on not conceding to tax harmonisation and, consequently, we will not concede to it. Our position on tax harmonisation will not change and it is a non-issue in the context of the treaty. As of today, some people in Europe want tax harmonisation; we do not. The day after the passage of the Lisbon treaty the same situation will prevail.

Misconceptions and dangerous distortions also apply to the issue of abortion because there is a protocol in the Maastricht treaty that specifically accepts Irish legislation on abortion, which prevents abortion in any case, except where the life of the mother is in danger, including suicide. It is untrue, a misconception and a distortion to say the abortion issue applies to the Lisbon treaty.

The issue of neutrality is a bit like the issue of tax harmonisation. We are neutral today, we are against militarisation and will remain so after the Lisbon treaty is passed. Politics will, naturally, go on and some elements on mainland Europe would like us to give up our neutral status and join military alliances. Some people on mainland Europe want abortion and tax harmonisation. Those people will still be there after the Lisbon treaty is passed but these issues do not relate to the treaty itself. The Lisbon treaty is about administrative change, the democratisation of Europe and making Europe manageable in the context of its current large population.

We should not lose sight of what Europe means for the future, in practical terms. There is a wonderful parable in the gospels about the curing of a group of lepers and only one returns to say, "Thanks". This should warn politicians that we should not rely too much on the gravy train Europe has been for this country in the past.

Those mean enough to want to forget everything that has been achieved through Europe should consider the future. Our future within the EU involves giving us a market of 500 million people for our goods and services, an opportunity we cannot ignore. As an island country wanting to trade, progress our services, and use the expertise of our brilliant graduates and universities, Europe is the place to play. The way to enhance our credibility in Europe is to go with the Lisbon treaty and be proactive supporters of the European ideal.

Rather than considering our future involvement in Europe as a slavish mentality of subjugation, I believe Ireland has a national self-confidence on the European stage, taking part in the institutions and flying the Irish flag. I am proud to be part of the Irish delegation, of which Senator Terry Leyden also is a distinguished member, in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. We are well fit as a delegation to put forward our views to amend documents and put across the Irish perspective. Our MEPs are similarly equipped in the European Parliament. We have had Commissioners second to none. Our Governments and Civil Service have been second to none on the European level. We are well fit to stand up there with the best.

Without giving away secrets, I was born in the mid-1950s and come from a generation that knows of an Ireland before and after EU membership. I remember an Ireland before EEC membership where women had to give up their State jobs when they got married and there was not equal pay for equal work. I remember growing up in an Ireland with limited and backward infrastructure and subsistence levels of income in farming which depended on one market in Britain.

I also remember a changing Ireland after EEC entry when our infrastructure and third level colleges and institutes were greatly improved. New social legislation and directives that opened up the windows of this country were introduced. We got a larger market for our goods and a confidence as an economy. Those are the two contrasting Irelands which I have known.

There is nothing sinister in the treaty. We are well fit to play on the European stage. Our social, economic and other advantages lie in the European project. There is no place to be other than in Europe. To go outside of a wholesome participation in Europe would be regressive.

Some argue the treaty can be re-negotiated. That is not the way to progress the European project when there is nothing sinister in the treaty. We must knock down the myths about the treaty. Europe has been good for Ireland. We are well fit to make Europe better in the future. We can sell our goods and services to a market of 500 million people. While it may not be politically correct to say so, it is regrettable there has been so much debate around the treaty. None the less, it is a worthwhile exercise. I am so convinced that it must be a "Yes" vote on 12 June that I find it difficult to grapple with the alternative. Ireland has a young and vibrant population which needs its future to be centre stage in the world. We must vote "Yes" for the treaty.