Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

Senator Leyden never ceases to amaze me or amuse me, as he did his colleagues last week in the Council of Europe when he almost tripped over himself as he rushed to embrace and congratulate Mr. David Cameron, I am not sure on what, but perhaps Senator Leyden might inform the House what words of praise he imparted to Mr. David Cameron.

We are having a second re-run of the discussion on the treaty this morning based on the comments of some unnamed official. The position should be quite clear, as it has been since 1973. If anything arising in the financial compact arrangement impinges on the Constitution there will be a referendum and the people will be consulted. We did not have a referendum to discuss the bank bailout. We did not have a referendum to discuss any of the recent harsh budgets which have impinged greatly on the public, so let us be a little mature and cop ourselves on. If a referendum is required it will be held. It is rather pathetic, as my colleague Deputy Phelan said last night on another show to see a once great party such as Fianna Fáil now trying to out-Sinn Féin, Sinn Féin in order to try to find a little bit of political purpose.