Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

The first matter to which I wish to refer relates to the fact that the statutory instrument on copyright which was signed last night is not on today's Order Paper. While I was able to procure a copy of it from the Oireachtas Library and Research Service, when statutory instruments become available on the Internet and are the subject of discussion in the media, they should be listed on the Order Paper and readily available from the Oireachtas Library and Research Service. I request that the relevant officials examine the position in this regard. I am not complaining, however, because staff in the Oireachtas Library and Research Service eventually obtained for me a copy of the statutory instrument to which I refer. However, it took some effort to procure it.

Fianna Fáil is absolutely clear in its position on the fiscal compact. We will be voting "Yes". This is despite the fact that many of us have the same misgivings as the former Minister, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, and understand his genuineness on the issue. Fianna Fáil is a pro-European Union party and has done more than any other party in this country to integrate Ireland into the Union. We are going to continue our work in this regard. The reality, however, is that the people do not have a choice: they must vote in favour of the treaty. This is because the Government has signed up to a pact, under which we do not have a veto in respect of the treaty. If we vote "No", it will mean nothing because only 12 countries need to assent to the treaty for it to come into force. We will not, therefore, have the same leverage which applied in the case of the Lisbon treaty. It is unfortunate that the Government has signed us up to these arrangements.

The Government also signed us up to a blackmail clause, whereby there will be no further bailouts if we do not sign up to the treaty.