Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I am disappointed that Senator Colm Burke and a number of others are being somewhat selective in terms of past referenda. While the Fine Gael leadership was commendable in terms of the manner in which it actively supported the second referendum on Lisbon, the same is not true of Fine Gael membership on the ground. I set up public meetings in my home town but local Fine Gael members would not join me on the platform. This was repeated throughout the country. Let us not be too selective in terms of what happened in respect of the second referendum on Lisbon.

On whether there should be a referendum on this treaty, the will of the people must be reflected. The storm clouds are gathering around this Government in this regard. I remind the House that the view when the first referendum on the Nice treaty was put before the people was that no constitutional changes would be required. The term widely used in this regard was that it was essentially "a housekeeping exercise". The Government of the day, to judge and reflect the mood of the people, put the matter before them. The same argument is being put forward here today.