Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I join with the previous and other speakers in suggesting that Ireland's best interest will be served by a "Yes" vote on referendum day.

We have discussed many of the issues pertinent to the debate during our discussion of the Referendum on the Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution Bill. On that occasion, we expressed the hope that sufficient information would be made available to every citizen, that there would be a reasoned and calm debate and that there would be strong encouragement to access information about the treaty itself in order fully to understand its content. In the main, that has happened. The Referendum Commission has done its work effectively and in good time. Information of an independent nature has gone to every household in the country and, side by side, the Government has made information available.

At previous referendums, members of the public claimed they did not understand what the referendum was about. There will always be a number of people who claim they do not understand something, but on this occasion, as a result of debates on TV, radio and other media and the information posted to each house, there is a much clearer understanding of the referendum and its consequence. The consequence of the treaty for the country is significant. Do we continue on a road of stability and certainty or do we take a wild guess and a tour down a road that could turn out to be a cul-de-sac? Ireland's best interests are served by a "Yes" vote.

A referendum, in which every citizen is asked to vote "Yes" or "No", can give rise to the belief that the question must be huge and complex. As the Government is making it clear that the stakes are high in this case, people believe the question must be substantial. The issue is, in fact, precise and clear-cut. Of all the referendums on European matters since our accession to the European Union in 1973, this is the most black and white. It is not complex. As we are having a referendum, some people believe the question must be complex. The "Yes" side must, perhaps, exaggerate its argument and the "No" side must do likewise. This can sometimes be unhelpful.

The referendum is about stability and not about austerity. The treaty is not called the austerity treaty but the stability treaty. It is about ensuring future investment and sustaining an environment where job creation will be strong.

We have discussed many of the issues pertinent to the debate during our discussion of the Referendum Bill.

We Today in Galway the Taoiseach made a significant announcement about investment, and on an almost weekly basis over the past number of months there have been announcements of job creation. We have had successful visits to and from China, we still have significant interest from the United States, and of course we have significant interest from investors here at home in future projects. All of these people, who have a stake not only in their own industries but in the future of this country, are telling us a "Yes" vote is necessary. The representatives of business, big and small, are saying a "Yes" vote is necessary for investment and job creation, the representatives of Irish farming, in the main, are recommending a "Yes" vote, and a significant number of trade unions are recommending a "Yes" vote. They cannot all be wrong.

Those who are advocating a "No" vote are, in general, those who have advocated a "No" vote on every occasion since 1973. The people saying "No" are those who told us that a "Yes" vote for the Lisbon treaty and a "Yes" vote for the Nice treaty would result in the introduction of conscription to a European army, with children being kidnapped from their parents. They were as wrong then as they are now. We are having, and must continue to have, a calm debate about the facts. A country, just like a household, must live within certain financial parameters. There is a growing acceptance that if this treaty and its provisions had been in place five, ten or 15 years ago, our country would not be in its current economic difficulties, because different political and economic choices would have had to be made. The additional responsibility that will now be forced not just on our Government but on the Government of every country signing up to the treaty is good for all of us. It will result in better management and better economic conditions, and it will result in stability and investment. That is what the debate is all about.

The polls appear to indicate that a significant number of people have yet to make up their minds, and the job of all politicians, no matter what side of the argument they are on, is to encourage people to read about the treaty, listen to the debates, and vote. My desire is that there will be a strong "Yes" vote, but also that there will be a significant turnout, and that it will not just be a majority of a minority saying "Yes" but a majority of a majority. There is a substantial amount of time to go. If it was a general election that was being held on 31 May, it would have been called only last week. Much canvassing must be done and much convincing must be done. That is what a referendum is about.

Ireland is the only country in the EU that is offering its citizens the chance to make this decision, which is of significant political importance. There was a school of thought that suggested that the Government could proceed to have the treaty ratified by a vote of the Oireachtas, but the Government took the more difficult but better route of consulting with the people and asking them in a calm and mature fashion to say "Yes".

I join with my colleagues in recommending a "Yes" vote. I firmly believe, from the point of view of future development and future investment in this country and in order to put our people back to work, that a "Yes" vote is by far the wiser and more sensible choice. It will not change things overnight or fix all of our problems but to leap into the dark with a "No" vote would be much too dangerous for Ireland and its people. Therefore, I sincerely hope Ireland will say "Yes" on referendum day.