Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I am grateful to the Cathaoirleach for allowing me the time. Earlier today I declared my support for the Lisbon treaty, having given it some consideration. I had not always supported similar treaties in the past. However, it deserves support, despite the strong criticisms I have of the manner in which the Government has campaigned in favour of the treaty and the way the referendum campaign has been run. It has been unfortunate that the arguments in favour of the treaty have not been made in as strong or compelling a way as they might have been. In particular, few prominent women have been speaking in favour of the referendum, which is very unfortunate. This is not just my opinion but is a view that is widely held. Women, as a group of voters, in particular need to be convinced of the arguments in favour. Even in the limited time left it certainly is possible for more prominent women speakers from the Government to be put forward. The Opposition parties in favour of the treaty have run stronger campaigns.

Others have made very strong criticisms in terms of the EU structures, the lack of democratic accountability and the structure of the Commission in particular. Having said all that, I still believe this is a treaty worth supporting. The report before the House makes some of the points in terms of the enhanced role for national parliaments, which I believe is important. It is also important that there will be an enhanced role for the European Parliament, as others have said, because that is clearly a body with very direct democratic accountability to the citizens of Europe. There are two key reasons, however, I shall be voting "Yes" next Thursday and why I believe the treaty deserves our full support.

First, the procedural changes in the treaty, although they are not sexy or easy to sell because they are largely technical, are none the less vital to facilitate the greater expansion of the European Union. I believe passionately that the EU should expand and become a more inclusive Union, embracing in particular the Balkan states and others from the former Soviet Republic. That really could enhance the life prospects for many disadvantaged people on the peripheries of Europe. It is of major significance in the treaty and a positive reason to vote in favour.

The treaty also deserves our support because of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. From the left-wing perspective I hold, the charter contains many socioeconomic rights, such as the right to health care, which deserve our support. They are not in our Constitution at present and we shall see further changes in favour of a social and citizen's Europe being made by virtue of our adoption of this treaty, because it contains that charter. Because it facilitates expansion and contains a charter, to put it in very simple soundbite terms, this treaty deserves our support and those are the arguments I believe need to be made compellingly towards women and other voters on the left in particular as we face into the last week of the campaign.