Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

The reality is that this is an important national decision which will involve all political parties and many other interests and sectoral groups. To make these decisions without debate or consultation in these Houses is entirely inappropriate.

There is one consideration I would put to the Leader and ask that he put it to the Taoiseach. One of the unique selling points of the Lisbon treaty was the measures it introduced in regard to combatting cross-border crime and the most serious forms of crime in Europe, as was confirmed by Dr. Maurice Hayes, chairman of the Forum on Europe, in the Joint Committee on the Constitution yesterday. If the Taoiseach is intent on running a new referendum, Ireland should not exercise and include the opt-out in the area of justice and home affairs. When one sees the drugs seizures on our coastline and the inability of our own resources to control that coastline, it shows we need Europe's help in combatting organised gangland crime, drug trafficking and so on. I put that question to the Leader. Perhaps he would refer the matter.