Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

I wish to echo much of what Senator Barrett already has said. This agreement really is pushing the State towards further austerity and such austerity is not working. The State already has taken austerity of €20 billion, 440,000 people are unemployed and this mechanism will not improve this position. I also welcome the call by Labour Party Members for a referendum because if the Government is so confident about this being the right course of action, there is no reason for it not to put it to the people in a referendum. While I welcome the debate today, I call for further debate on this issue.

Arising from the austerity measures, the airports will be the scene of many happy reunions this Christmas. However, Members should consider the many sad scenes to which airports have been witnesses over the past year, in which between 40,000 and 60,000 people have emigrated to seek work. The make-up analogy has been used and the basic issue is being covered up in this regard, as the bank debt that caused the problems here are not being dealt with. More austerity is being placed on the shoulders of those who are unable to carry it. People are entitled to a referendum and, to use another make-up analogy, I believe this because we are worth it.