Martin Conway (Fine Gael)

Yes. Like other Senators, I look forward to an informed debate on the fiscal compact. It may be a good idea to invite a spokesperson for the Referendum Commission before the House as soon as it is appointed to explain how it proposes to run the referendum campaign, distribute information and inform members of the public about a treaty which will define the future of many generations to come.

On an organisational matter, I ask the Leader to suggest to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, that presiding officers and polling clerks who will run the polling stations in the referendum be drawn from the live register. They should be people who do not have a job but are competent and capable of doing the job. We should make a strong effort to send out a clear message that people who have given good service over the years but are reasonably well off, with pensions and other jobs and so forth, should be moved aside to give an opportunity for at least a day's work for people who are on the live register.