Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I would like to speak about the Lisbon treaty. Whatever about NAMA and the state of the economy, this is the issue we must prioritise as we head towards the referendum on 2 October. As mentioned, the UK Independence Party has entered the debate in Ireland, which is entirely inappropriate. However, it highlights the informal alliance between the ideas represented by UKIP and those on the far right and those of Sinn Féin on the far left. If anything, this curious alliance shows the absurdity of the position Sinn Féin has taken in the referendum campaign and why its arguments should be rejected. Sinn Féin's Alternative Guide to Lisbon 2 and the UKIP document on the treaty both contain the same untruths about what the treaty really means.

This alliance between two extreme points of view which are based on falsehoods and lies is the best message as to why people should vote "Yes" to the Lisbon treaty. It is important to get that message across. We have had an informed public debate on the treaty and have had the benefit of clarifications from the European heads of state and government, as well as legally binding guarantees, including on the retention of the Commissionership. Fine Gael has been calling for a "Yes" vote to ensure the country is put first. The effect of the campaign by these two organisations - Sinn Féin and UKIP - would be to create an impoverished, politically isolated Ireland on the periphery of Europe.