Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

The reality is that people on the "Yes" side are beginning to understand that the misinformation being issued will not wash. We heard misinformation from the previous speaker that it is all about climate change. The Lisbon treaty is not all about climate change. Six words that have been inserted by the Irish Government into a massive document deal with climate change. The Lisbon treaty is about other issues. I welcome the fact that the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union this week has called for a "No" vote in the Lisbon treaty.

Will the Leader facilitate a debate, to which he agreed two weeks ago, on the issue of school secretaries and caretakers, some of whom are paid less than the minimum wage? They are in Donegal, Sligo, Limerick and other regions. Many school secretaries and caretakers are unable to avail of the benefits under the Department of Education and Science scheme.

I support the call for a debate on the fishing industry. It is important to have that debate not only for the larger vessels but also because of the impact on the driftnet and draftnet salmon fishermen who have been put out of business since the decision of the Government last year. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Mary Coughlan, is tipped for promotion within the Cabinet this evening. As a Donegal Senator I wish her well. I hope she signs a statutory instrument that will bring to an end the criminalisation of the fishermen before she leaves that office, if indeed she does.