Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

However, the advice given to the Government at the time by the then Attorney General was that the court case would not be successful. We are now depending on advice from the current Attorney General. I am not stating that her advice will not be valid or proper. Regardless of whether the Attorney General recommends the holding of a referendum, the Government will take a political decision with regard to whether it should be held. Is the Government going to afford the various political parties and others the opportunity to engage in a debate on the fiscal pact? We have not as yet seen the detail relating to the pact. When that detail emerges, Members of both Houses should at least be given the opportunity to debate what is involved.

I appeal to the Leader to encourage the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to come before the House to engage in a question and answer session on the fiscal pact and on whether we are getting a good deal. Why is there no mention of debt forgiveness at European level in the pact, which the people of this country are going to be expected to accept? If a referendum is not held, it is my view that this will attest to the scant regard that exists for the views of the Irish people.