Caít Keane (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State. I think I am correct when I say no referendum was ever held in this country on an issue other than to amend the Constitution. I know, as other Senators have said, there is provision for reference to the people under Articles 27 and 47 of the Constitution but no Government has conceded to a request for a referendum if it was not necessary to amend the Constitution. Should 12 of the 17 eurozone countries sign the pact, the sanction would then be semi-automatic. What will be the effect if Ireland does not sign? I know the Minister of State cannot fully answer my question, but who will implement the final fiscal compact treaty if and when it is signed? Is it the country holding the EU Presidency on the date or is it a policing member state? If it is, there is an existing provision in EU treaties that has been used six times in 60 years. It does not add anything new to treaties.