Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Ba mhaith liom tréaslú leis an Seanadóir Bacik a bhí ag caint faoi na cúramóirí ar maidin. Bhí cur i láthair iontach maith acu. Ba mhaith liom iarrraidh uirthi, ins an ról atá aici, labhairt leis an Aire Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha, an Teachta Pat Rabbitte, maidir leis an ESB agus na haonaid leictreachais atá caillte ag na cúramóirí le déanaí ón chomhlacht sin. I commend Senator Bacik and the Carers Association for their fantastic presentation this morning. I ask the Senator to intervene with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on the question the carers raised about the loss of electricity units. How come these have been lost? They should be reinstated.

Very much pressing this morning is the European scenario. When the first and second Lisbon treaties were being peddled by all the major parties in the State, we were told about a Europe of equals. Is it a Europe of equals as long as we are equal to France and Germany? That would appear to be the case. President Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel met over the weekend to come to some kind of arrangement. Where is the Europe of equals? Are we not supposed to have all member states sitting around the table making decisions, or do we leave it to France and Germany, which tell us afterwards what is happening? President Barroso is announcing a new policy initiative today in Brussels and is to come tomorrow to the Taoiseach to tell him what is to happen. Is that the Europe of equals we were promised?

Government representatives seem to be at sixes and sevens on this issue. The Germans have suggested that there needs to be a third Lisbon treaty, whereas the Taoiseach's stated aim is that we should regain sovereignty. He said we do not need a treaty. The Minister of State responsible for European affairs, Deputy Creighton, said she would consider a treaty whereas the Tánaiste, Deputy Gilmore, told us we would not need a treaty and that whatever changes would be required under Lisbon 3 would be brought in surreptitiously through some sort of legislation.