Martin Conway (Fine Gael)

In the six weeks left before the referendum, we can get caught up in much unnecessary tittle-tattle. We need to micromanage the message properly and give people the facts. In the first instance, what is being distributed to the 1.6 million households explains a treaty. It is up to the people then to decide whether they will vote "Yes" or "No".

It is fair to say that we do not know what the consequences for this country will be if we vote "No". Nobody has told us what will happen if we vote "No". I want to hear what the alternative of those advocating a "No" is. It is easy to shout and roar and say "Vote "No" against austerity, against the European Union and against what is happening." One may blame bankers, water meters, septic tanks and what one likes, but what is the alternative? I want to hear the alternative. I want to hear a comprehensive rebuttal of the "Yes" side by the "No" side. All I have heard up until now is ill-informed and ill-advised, and what I would describe as "subversive soundbites". I have not heard one positive contribution on an alternative from the "No" side. This morning I challenge one person from the "No" side to get up and give us an alternative because I think we need that.