Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Twomey, O'Toole, Alex White, Regan, Hanafin, Norris, Buttimer, Bacik and Donohoe expressed their concerns regarding the Lisbon treaty referendum. There will of course be an all-party approach. I agree with Senator Regan on that. Everything that can be done must be done to make it a successful referendum. I know it will be done. We are all agreed Ireland's future is in Europe, as Senator Donohoe stated. I commend the great work done by the Sub-committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union under his stewardship. Any time needed in the House will be granted. I will request the Minister for Foreign Affairs to attend the House in this session to allow for a lengthy debate on the Lisbon treaty. It would allow Members to express their views on how to assist the Government in the forthcoming referendum.

This was the first House to debate the Ryan report and it was one of the best debates here in the past 30 years.