David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

Often where there are debates in this House I am reminded of how much the Houses of the Oireachtas can be a bubble far removed from reality and where people are at, and this debate is a good example of that. A number of Senators , one of whom was Senator Feargal Quinn, made the point that we have no choice and must vote "Yes". The previous speaker talked about naysayers, irresponsibility and damage, and also that we have no choice and must vote "Yes". The reality is that the people of this country have a choice. That is what referendums are about. That is what democracy is about. The people can say "Yes" or they can say "No". The simple reality is that if the people reject this treaty, they say "No" to the strict fiscal discipline rules which are in the treaty.

Senator Feargal Quinn also made the point that this is about balancing budgets, and to an extent he is correct. It does force countries to balance books, but it also prevents countries from borrowing to invest.