Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I join the Senators, particularly those on this side of the House, who have called for a comprehensive debate on the wording of the new treaty when published. The people of Ireland are seeking leadership from the national Parliament and a debate on this significant initiative would be an opportunity to provide such leadership. I must disagree with a view that seems to be growing that an achievement was made yesterday in Europe when, from an Irish perspective, all that is being offered is further austerity and sanctions if we do not proceed down the road we are on with, as one commentator said, very little carrot but lots of stick. The people of Ireland are getting to a point where they cannot take any more austerity without some hope for the future. That hope lies in the negotiations that I understand from the media are going on between the Minister for Finance in particular and the Taoiseach who are attempting to extend the massive bill that has been left as the legacy of Anglo Irish Bank whereby the promissory notes could be extended like a mortgage for the next 30 or 40 years which would lessen their economic impact. Ultimately this is about our getting our deficit right. It is important to put on the record that when it became apparent in 2008 that our deficit was widening, it was the then Government, led by the then Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, who initiated the various severe budgets which have been inherited but are being followed by this Government because it had no choice. We must get our deficit down to the agreed level, otherwise, as a country, we will not be able to survive, pay our civil servants and retain our services.

This new treaty will impose further harsh measures on this country without any attempt to concede we are the best person in the class. We are not getting any credit for that other than newspaper headlines across Europe stating what a wonderful country we are to be battling against it. We seem to be treated differently when it comes to giving the concessions that we need. Unless we can get rid of the stranglehold of bank debt, we can continue along the austerity line and continue to reduce our deficit but we will still have it hanging over us, and that must be addressed by Europe. Europe wants our people to support the Government and to support Europe. I would question those who would argue that we do not support Europe when we do support it. I am as pro-European as anybody, but we must stand up for our rights. How long more are we going to be beaten down?