Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

As part of its negotiating position, did the Government request EU partners to water down the treaty in such a fashion that the Irish people would not have a say in what is probably the most important fiscal treaty to be passed since we joined the European Union? What is the Government's position and does the Taoiseach deny that this is the case? Does the Government deny this report from Europe that "we drafted the text of the treaty so that he has a chance to avoid a referendum"? If that is not a subversion of democracy, I do not know what is.

My party is pro-European and on behalf of it I call on the Government to give a commitment that the Irish people will get a say in this new fiscal treaty, which will tie the hands of this country for the next ten or 15 years, in good and bad times. This is one of the most serious departures we have seen. Is it the Government's negotiating position to say to draftsmen and EU colleagues that it does not want the Irish people to have a say in the treaty and it should be drafted in such a way? Does the Government accept that the treaty was drafted to suit the Irish Government? Did the Government, and specifically the Taoiseach and Minister of State for European affairs, request specifically that the text be drafted to subvert Irish democracy, in effect? I will ask her next week. This is one of the most serious actions a Government can take. The current Government has a mandate from the people but is afraid to seek another.

As I have indicated we will provide time next week in Private Members' business for a proper debate on smaller rural and minority faith schools.