Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Tá an samhradh ag sleamhnú thart anois agus deirtear go mbeidh reifreann nua againn maidir leis an gconradh Liosbón san fhomhar. Tá súil agam idir an dá linn go mbeidh seans againn sin a phlé anseo mar má tá ceacht le foghlaim ón reifreann deireanach is é sin go gcaithfimid éisteacht leis na rudaí atáá rá ag na daoine atá i gcoinne an chonartha.

It is very important that the House has an opportunity to discuss the promised new referendum on the Lisbon treaty. There is always a danger that we might be lulled into a false sense of confidence. There will be a very long period during the summer when we will not be involved in debate in the Houses of the Oireachtas. If the referendum is to take place some time in the autumn there might not be a great amount of time to debate the matter when we return after the summer recess. It is very important that we do not make some of the mistakes we made during the previous campaign. It is important we do not try to demonise people who are opposed to the treaty or look down on their views, because it is particularly important that we bring as many people as possible with us. It is accepted that in the current economic situation there may be a new sense of reality when the time comes to vote, but that should not be the main focus for us. There must be a commitment to what the Lisbon treaty is trying to do.

I recommend to the Leader that an invitation be given to An Taoiseach to come in here prior to the summer recess and let us hear precisely from the Government what exactly has been agreed in the new guarantees. I am confident about them and confident that they have a legal basis, but already I see mutterings outside questioning them. If that builds up and we are not able to respond in a coherent manner, we could find ourselves in exactly the same situation as we did before. I ask the Leader to accommodate my request and ask An Taoiseach to come in and let this House set the tone for the upcoming debate because it has to be set and we all must have a clear focus on what it is we want to achieve.