Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

Senator Quinn's words today about having a debate on the fiscal treaty each week between now and referendum day were sensible. We should have a common sense discussion on the treaty. It is so significant and important to Ireland and to our future. Those on the opposing side of the treaty are the same people who said this country and other Governments were behaving irresponsibly on budgeting. The treaty will bring responsibility in respect of budgeting. I am unsure how the "No" campaign can position themselves after what has been said over many months.

I refer to the words expressed last night by the Governor of the Central Bank, Patrick Honohan. He called for European-wide responsibility on the banking debt issue. That is the way forward and we should explore this option at every available opportunity. I call on the Deputy Leader to ask the Minister for Finance to come to the House to discuss this issue and how we can pursue that avenue as a sovereign State within the eurozone and the European Union with the assistance of the Central Bank Governor. We should consider some form of write-down of banking debt but it is a separate issue to the treaty and it is only mixing the case to bring it in as part of the treaty debate. The issue should be explored and pursued.