Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I join with others in expressing concern about the Europe-wide discussion on budgetary matters for Ireland before we discuss them here. It is unacceptable, as the Leader of the Opposition, Senator Byrne and others have articulated very well. In the context of ongoing and future debates about the forthcoming referendum, I will unequivocally support its passage. It is incumbent on all of us to keep the message simple. Much of the analysis I have seen so far is much too complex and there is a finite amount of time to get one's message across. I will support it because it will put a mechanism in place to prevent a repeat of the financial catastrophe we have seen throughout Europe and the wider world, as well as Ireland. That should be welcomed.

That does not deduct in any way from my passionate view that Europe owes the Irish people. In advance of international acceptance of problems in Spain, Italy, Portugal and even France and the United States, the Irish people fronted up in a way and absorbed austerity, blanket guarantees and other measures. Nobody would wish to have to put such measures in place, but we did so, and I sat on the Government side of the House and had to defend these. For that reason, make no mistake that Europe owes the Irish people - not Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil. For that reason, every time I speak on the issue or canvass for a "Yes" vote, I will push the Government and any person with influence in Europe to ensure that they do the decent thing, front up for us now and ensure we get debt write-down, action on the promissory notes and other concessions that acknowledge the actions and support given unequivocally by the Irish people to Europe.