Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

I second Senator Darragh O'Brien's amendment to the Order of Business so that the Minister of State, Deputy Creighton, can come to the House to explain her comments on the conflict with the Germans over the fiscal compact. In the context of that and of the allegations made about privatisation and the memorandum of understanding, it is important we have a debate on the truth in this Chamber. I am calling for such a debate.

The Minister of State, Deputy Creighton, denied repeatedly in this House that there was any effort to avoid a referendum. Several weeks ago, I took part in Vincent Browne's show with her during which, under intense questioning from Vincent Browne, she repeatedly denied there was any question of avoiding a referendum. Now we have her German counterpart - presumably Lucinda was having tea and coffee with this Minister-----