Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I join other Members in seeking a debate on the motion. We will use our Private Members' time next week to discuss the rural schools, which is an important issue. Notwithstanding that these are difficult times and cuts are necessary, this cut is not necessary. The cost to society generally and to rural Ireland far outweighs any benefit in the context of savings in the Department of Education and Skills. For that reason the teachers of Ireland who are due to descend on Dáil Éireann this evening and tomorrow should be supported. I know many Government Deputies and Senators share my view and I hope commonsense can be brought to bear and these unnecessary cuts can be reversed.

The fiscal treaty has been mentioned by many Members. I seek an early debate on this issue. It is imperative that a referendum is held on the treaty. That is not to denote any opposition to the treaty or to make a political issue of it. However, the failing of the political system here over the years, not least under the last Administration and certainly under this one, when one sees the understandable public anger, is the lack of public ownership of the public policy platform. That is a critical issue which must be addressed and far be it from the Houses of the Oireachtas to be in fear of what the people might say or think about a particular point of view, irrespective of whether the Attorney General takes a view that it is possible to do this constitutionally. In my view it is imperative that our system and approach since 1973 modernises and changes to consult the people a lot more often. If the people have more of an input as to the legislation being dealt with in terms of Bills and issues, then they will have more ownership of public policy and, as a result, can have more confidence in the political system. For that reason alone, the Government should show absolute leadership, and irrespective of the constitutional position and the necessity or otherwise of the fiscal treaty, it should hold a referendum. We should show political leadership and show confidence in our people and consult them on this very important issue.