Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I support Senator O'Toole's remarks on the need for an immediate and proactive debate on the Lisbon treaty. This House is an ideal forum for the Government to maximise political involvement and discourse on the subject matter. As Senator O'Toole rightly noted, the treaty is being clarified, not changed, and it is important we inform the public on that. The question before us, in October or November, is the same one that was before us in June 2008. One hopes that as a result of the debate and discourse and the process over the past 12 months, the public will have a greater understanding of the matter. The Government and the body politic have a very important role to play in clarifying the questions which remain in respect of the Lisbon treaty. It would be very helpful, not only for the Government but for the country, if Seanad Éireann were to become a serious forum of debate on the treaty and its importance.

Regarding European matters, at a time when we are swamped in a sea of economic doubt, there was one small piece of good news this morning concerning telephone charges. There is a European dimension to this because, as a result of work at European Union level, telephone roaming charges are now being dropped, in some cases significantly, and that is to be welcomed. It also causes us to ask about the level of telecom and telephone charges across the European Union and at home. Our economy faces great challenges in competitiveness. Whatever way we can, we need to reduce costs and telephone charges to business and the domestic consumer. I welcome what has been done at EU level but we must have a debate in this House on communication costs to try to bring about further reductions in that regard.