Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, and commend the Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill to the House. It is an excellent Bill and the majority of the House is in agreement that there should be a second referendum on it. In the last referendum on 5 June 2008, 53.4% of the Irish electorate voted against the proposal to amend the Constitution, namely, the ratification of the Lisbon treaty, and 46.6% voted in favour of the proposal. The turnout for the referendum was 53.1%. An analysis of the referendum results was provided by the library and research service. It is important to analyse what has happened and the research carried out by the Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union, of which I was a member and Senator Donohoe chaired, was extremely helpful and highlighted the issues involved.

During the campaign there were many unfortunate personal attacks and misinformation was given out by one group. Libertas played a vital role in this area and its leadership projected the most negative approach to the development and expansion of the European Union.

I commend the Taoiseach, Deputy Brian Cowen, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, and the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Dick Roche, on the trojan work, stamina and tenacity they have shown in winning concessions from their European colleagues and bringing this matter to a conclusion. Visiting Ireland last week, British Foreign Secretary, David Milliband, admitted he had not expected the Irish Government to have negotiated such a deal. The outcome was a marvellous achievement for the Ministers in question, the Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government and our officials in Europe. As a former Minister of State in what has become the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I received tremendous support from our officials in Europe. They are an extremely effective team whom I admired while in office and who have, with our Ministers, negotiated an effective solution to the issues raised by the electorate in the referendum June 2008.

The electorate may have done us a service in that we have sought clarification and secured reassurance. I was particularly concerned about the proposed temporary loss of a Commissioner for member states for five of every 15 years. Ireland has been well served by its Commissioners and few other countries have the same level of personal engagement with their Commissioner. While I accept that Commissioners take a pledge to the European Union, they must bear in mind the ethos of their home country and will be aware of the effect of many proposals on their country of origin. Although large and small member states were treated equally under the proposal on Commissioners, the smaller countries would have been affected more had it been implemented. The success of the Taoiseach and Ministers in negotiating a concession on this matter from the other 26 member states was a major breakthrough.

Holding a second referendum is not new to Ireland. In the first divorce referendum a majority of people opposed the introduction of divorce. When the second referendum went the other way those who had voted "No" in the first referendum accepted the outcome. The Constitution does not debar the holding of a second referendum on issues of concern, of which the Lisbon treaty is one. Those who voted against the treaty in June 2008 can feel vindicated. I have not criticised anyone who voted "No" in the first referendum for the good reason that opponents of the treaty had sincere concerns and worries which had not been clarified to their satisfaction. Full clarification has now been provided. For instance, Ireland's position on corporation tax has been confirmed and we have secured commitments on neutrality, abortion and other social issues of concern to people. These commitments, which have been copper-fastened in the annexes to the treaty, will be registered in the United Nations and will become part and parcel of the treaty on which we will vote on 2 October.

We cannot take a positive outcome for granted and must, therefore, rally support for the referendum. At this crucial crossroads in our history, Ireland needs Europe more than ever. Our membership of the European Union and eurozone have provided security not available to non-EU countries such as Iceland. Ireland would be in dire straits if it were not a member of the European Union. It is vital, therefore, that we reaffirm our clear commitment to the principles of the European Union and demonstrate our willingness to remain at the centre of decision-making in the EU.

I am the Fianna Fáil Party spokesperson on European affairs in the Seanad and a member of two committees with an important role to play, the joint committees on European affairs and European scrutiny. When I was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr. Des O'Malley gave me responsibility for international trade and negotiating the Single European Act. At that time, issues of concern to Ireland were always taken on board by our colleagues from other countries. Not once in the period in which I negotiated on behalf of this country, with the advice of senior civil servants, were we dissatisfied with the outcome of a meeting. We received co-operation and assistance from all member states and all the larger countries were extremely co-operative.

The tremendous support and respect we had built up in the European Union will be returned to us if we vote in favour of the Lisbon treaty on 2 October. On 2 October, the European Union's population of 500 million will observe the people of Ireland. The future of Europe is in our hands and I have no doubt that if we discuss and explain the issues people will respond positively. It is in everyone's interests that we vote "Yes" on 2 October. Rejection of the Lisbon treaty in a second referendum would have unthinkable consequences. We have all played a part in finding solutions to the issues raised on 12 June 2008. The White Paper should be circulated as widely as possible to enable people to read it prior to making a decision on 2 October. Ireland continues to have an important role to play in the European Union, from which we receive substantial investment.

On the Order of Business this morning, I expressed concern about REPS 4. It is regrettable that when REPS 3 concludes at the end of 2010 the membership of the scheme will not be in a position to roll over into REPS 4. The closing date for applications for the scheme was 15 May and assurances were given to many farmers that, on the termination of REPS 3, they would continue in REPS 4. I hope we will be able to resolve this issue tomorrow morning when members of the Fianna Fáil Party agriculture committee are due to meet the Minister.

If we are to secure future employment and stability, we must vote to be at the centre of the European Union. We must be inside looking out rather than outside looking in. For this reason, I commend the Bill to the House. We must work together. I recognise the responsible attitude being taken by the Fine Gael Party, Labour Party and Green Party, all of which support the Bill and will support the Lisbon reform treaty on 2 October.