Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I welcome that we will have a debate on the Lisbon treaty. I note a comment in The Irish Times this morning suggests the Government strategy appears to be to buy time until the real attitudes of other member states become clear while allowing the Irish public to note that other states are continuing to ratify the treaty. If this is an accurate report of the state of affairs it is to be regretted because, as my colleague Senator Ross said, listening to the people is not simply a matter of saying one respects their opinion and then seek to undermine it at the first opportunity.

The rejection of the Lisbon treaty last Thursday presents us with a long-awaited opportunity to reflect in a serious way on what Ireland wants the European Union to be in 50 years and where Ireland will be in it.