Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Before I respond I want to clarify that No. 4, Broadcasting Bill 2008 — Committee Stage, is to resume not earlier than 11.45 a.m. and to adjourn not later than 3 p.m., if not previously concluded. I said 12.45 p.m. earlier but meant to say 11.45 a.m. In addition, with regard to the debate on the Lisbon treaty, I propose that spokespersons have seven minutes and all other Senators have five minutes, and Senators may share time. That will take place from 3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, de Búrca, Bacik, Regan, Leyden, Coghlan, Norris, Buttimer, Healy Eames, Doherty, Mullen and John Paul Phelan all expressed their views on the Lisbon treaty referendum. I agree that the views of the people and the decision of the electorate must be clearly respected and are sacrosanct as far as we, as democrats — people who are elected to high office in the Dáil or Seanad on behalf of the people of Ireland — are concerned. We must respect this. However, I must also point out to the House that a 4% swing would have given a "Yes" vote. One would swear it was a landslide victory.

I congratulate the 53% of the Irish population who came out to vote in the referendum, which was a very high proportion. These people must be commended. We all know that 10% of the electorate are not available to vote for one reason or another in any election. There are also those less fortunate people who are sick in hospital, those on holidays and so on. In view of this, 53% was a very high turnout. A 4% swing would have given a decisive victory to the "Yes" side. Those who are trying to blame the Taoiseach or anyone else should remember that the Taoiseach's county of Offaly overwhelmingly voted "Yes", whereas in Mayo, as Senator Healy Eames knows——