Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I thank the Government for facilitating the debate. As somebody who voted "No" it gave me no pleasure to oppose people for whom I have the highest esteem. I acknowledge the patriotism, good sense and honest toil of politicians and officials who have worked at EU level over many years, especially in the context of the Lisbon treaty. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, and acknowledge his efforts in particular.

I opposed the treaty on the basis of my honest assessment of where Ireland's best interests lie. In no sense do I wish to detract from the patriotism, honest toil and sincere effort of those who were on the "Yes" side. Listening to the speeches of the Minister of State and Members across the floor I am left with the impression that people are still not listening. I have heard more demonisation of people today, the same kind of demonisation I heard prior to the referendum last Thursday. I hear and sense a determination to suggest that the Irish people did not vote in an informed way but that they allowed themselves to be hoodwinked and panic-stricken into a "No" vote. That is to do no credit to the intelligence and good sense of the Irish people. It is true that there were wide and varied groups and agendas opposed to the treaty. I am reminded of Hilary Clinton's farewell message to her supporters when she withdrew from the campaign for the Democratic Party nomination. She said it was not the party she had hoped for but she sure loved the company. Perhaps there were people on the "No" side last Thursday who said it is the party they hoped for but they were not so sure about the company. The same would be true on the "Yes" side. It is interesting to note that our former Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, was on the same side as Senator Eugene Regan. To my mind that is a motley crew also. The fact is people were under pressure from their party whips to call for a "Yes" vote so let us be honest about it, there was exaggeration on both sides. There was bogus argumentation on occasions on both sides and there was a certain amount of emotional blackmail on both sides. The Government must start by refusing to apologise or allow even the body language of apology at European level. The Government's job now is to represent the expressed will of the people. I accept that a process of discernment is now needed in order to understand precisely what the people have asked for.

When we hear the Government constantly reassuring people that this is not about abortion we get a sense of the problem. While I know some people were saying it was about abortion, we should consider that the Maastricht protocol was negotiated more than 20 years ago in Charles Haughey's time. That illustrates that there have been no serious efforts since then to secure for Ireland the necessary subsidiarity on social issues. I will conclude with the example of Article 13 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union which does not even nod to national laws in establishing freedom in artistic and scientific research. Future decisions could be taken at European level that would cut across our constitutional values. I plead with the Government that among the issues it must take into account now is the need to negotiate proper subsidiarity for Ireland so that, liberal or conservative, we may decide certain issues for ourselves, particularly in areas that are socially sensitive. That is not about being in a two-speed or a two-tier Europe. It is about recognising that regardless of how much we support an integrated EU it must be on the basis that diverse national personalities are also allowed to breathe.

The next few months will represent a test of just how much respect the European Union has for smaller states. We should look for no less than the French and Dutch got when they rejected a substantially similar arrangement in the form of the EU constitution.