Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader set aside time for a comprehensive discussion of the proposed referendum to ratify the fiscal compact treaty? It is important that this House should have an input into the debate and perhaps offer a platform for contributions from outside interests, including Commissioners, MEPs and so on. I understand the date for the referendum has been agreed by the Cabinet and will be announced today in the Upper House. I presume it will 7 or 8 June, in the week following the June bank holiday. We in the Fianna Fáil Party, under our leader, Deputy Micheál Martin, fully endorse the treaty and urge our supporters throughout the country to vote "Yes". We do not intend to make the referendum, which is an issue above and beyond politics, a political football. It is in the national interest that we ratify the treaty and be one of the first 12 countries so to do. There will be no joy for the country if the referendum proposal is rejected.