Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I question whether the Government can be trusted on this and other issues.

I wish to make one point on the statement made by the Taoiseach on the failure of Fine Gael and the Labour Party to pull their weight on the Lisbon treaty. This was a most unfortunate comment. The Taoiseach had an opportunity to be a statesman in respect of the Lisbon treaty. For some months, Deputies Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore have stated emphatically and repeatedly in public meetings throughout the country that they want their supporters to vote for the Lisbon treaty and should not allow domestic political and partisan issues to get in the way. This was done in a statesmanlike fashion and the heavy work has been done by both parties in recent months.

It was an unfortunate comment by the Taoiseach, Deputy Brian Cowen, and I urge Fine Gael voters to ignore him and vote "Yes" on the Lisbon treaty. It is important that we deal with what appears to be a holy alliance of Sinn Féin, the CIA and Opus Dei in the arguments put forward regarding the treaty. The Government and the Opposition should pull together on this issue and I ask the Leader to address this matter because he has made similar comments in this House. Fine Gael and the Labour Party are doing their work on this treaty and it is important that, at this late stage, we work together.