Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I agree with Senator Thomas Byrne's call for a public education campaign on the treaty regardless of whether there is a referendum.

It is widely agreed by most commentators that the treaty is only a piece of the jigsaw and is inadequate. What does the Minister of State think would be adequate? Do we know the endgame? What is her view on the comments of Michael Somers recently that we are likely to need a second bailout? My view is that it is not feasible or right for so much austerity to be placed on our working generation, and nor is it good for growth. Is it possible, against such a background, for Ireland to negotiate a structured write-down and a longer payback term for its current commitments?