Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

The question is, can we have a debate on the forthcoming EU treaty? As has been pointed out, Ireland does not have a position. We are going into the negotiation with our hands hanging. We have no position paper and we have not debated the treaty here or in the Dáil. We will be presented with a fait accompli. There is a democratic deficit in this House and in the Dáil. We will be shown a treaty when it is completed and told there is no need for a referendum. Then we will see what the Supreme Court says.

I remind Members of the Seanad of the provision in the Constitution that if 31 Members of this House and one third of the Members of the Dáil call for a referendum the President can be petitioned to hold one. This could be done, despite what the Government is trying to do, which is to take powers away from the people of the country. This power rests with Members on the Government side of the House. Whether Government Senators are for or against the treaty, the people should have their say.

The Fiscal Advisory Council is doing its job in relation to finance, but it has no regard for democracy.