Dan Boyle (Green Party)

It was pointed out that this is the last opportunity for the House to discuss the Lisbon treaty prior to the country voting on it. The arguments have been made in the House advocating a "Yes" or "No" position. On responding to today's Order of Business, will the Leader make one last attempt to encourage all voters in the country to participate in the referendum? It is important to have as high a turnout as possible and that the intervening days are used as much as possible for people to hear both sides of the argument.

I happen to be advocating a "Yes" vote, having advocated a "No" vote on previous treaties. I explained to the House why this is and one of the reasons is that having advocated a "No" vote and seeing my arguments not accepted by the Irish people I do not see the point in making those arguments again. It is time to move on and consider this treaty as a separate international instrument.