Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator. I share his enthusiasm for the new role to be given to parliaments. There was a wonderful debate on this at the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny earlier this week. I am probably the most enthusiastic Member of the House about this because I believe there is something revolutionary about this treaty. It will drag the legislative process into national parliaments, which is wonderful.

I think the Senator and I agree that the wording to be put in the Constitution regarding this Bill is already very complex. I already said in a debate elsewhere that when this referendum is over, we should examine how we deal with our Constitution. Every time there is a referendum amendment we put in many words produced by lawyers, for the best and most appropriate reasons, that detract from the legibility of what was and still is one of the finest constitutions in the world. I am grateful to Senator Alex White.

Tarraingíodh siar an leasú faoi chead.