Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to speak on the Bill but I put on record my strong support for the Minister of State's proposals. I congratulate him on his efforts and his personal commitment to Europe which we have seen down through the years. The Minister of State knows as well as I do that he, his Government colleagues and the rest of us face a difficult task ensuring the passage of the Lisbon treaty. There is no issue of greater importance to the people than the passing of the Lisbon treaty to ensure Europe works better and that Ireland continues to play a very strong role and benefits from its role in Europe.

Almost daily we hear and read much about the US presidential election which is of some significance to us but is insignificant when compared with the debate and vote on the Lisbon treaty. We must focus attention on that and I offer my full support to the Minister of State.

The farming community feels angry and threatened, although it would be the first to acknowledge that Irish agriculture has benefited enormously as a result of EU membership and can benefit to the same degree in the future. The World Trade Organisation talks are a separate issue but, unfortunately, politics brings events together and those talks are bearing down in a very negative way on what those in rural Ireland and the farming community are thinking. It is incumbent on the Minister of State, the Government and the new Taoiseach to give the strongest possible reassurance not only to the farmers but to the hundreds of thousands of people in rural Ireland whose jobs are so dependent on agriculture.

We must use every opportunity to reiterate that we will not allow Commissioner Mandelson to pressure the Government and the European Commission. We have one window of opportunity, which will last for a few weeks at most, and we must insist that the Mandelson proposals are not forced through. We must be willing to use the veto and to show our power in Brussels. It is a major issue in regard to this treaty vote, although I know there are many others.

I wish the Minister of State well. He will have the support of the majority of this House and the other one. As he said previously, the same forces said "No" in 1973 and during the debates on the Maastricht and Amsterdam treaties and they are wrong again. It is very important that Ireland votes "Yes" and that all of us apply our political weight to support the Minister of State and the Government in having this referendum passed.