Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I am glad we will not be debating the Bill in its entirety on one day. Arranging for it to be debated on Friday and Monday next will ensure there will be more time between Stages, which is preferable.

I also welcome today's debate on the Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012. I again agree with Senator Darragh O'Brien on the need to take care, to use language that is circumspect and to engage in informed debate on the treaty. It was good that the Seanad debated this matter on 14 March last - in the absence of a Minister - because this assisted all of us in coming to a clearer understanding of what the treaty involved. It is interesting when one considers the language involved in this debate. The Leader used the correct language when he referred to the Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012. I have noticed a real variation in the language used to describe the treaty by commentators, journalists and others. The more correct term is the "stability treaty" but there are those who continue to refer to it as the fiscal compact in an attempt to appear neutral. I have noticed a tendency among those who are opposed to it to refer to the austerity treaty.