SEANAD REPORT:THE GOVERNMENT should consider holding a referendum on the EU fiscal treaty regardless of the advice of the Attorney General, Darragh O'Brien, Fianna Fáil leader in the House, said.

As a pro-Europe party, Fianna Fáil believed there was a need to “bring the people along” with the significant changes in the EU. “It is only right that our citizens get to have their say on this.” Mr O’Brien called for a comprehensive public information campaign.

Deputy Seanad leader Ivana Bacik (Lab) said there would be no requirement for a referendum if the Attorney General advised that the Constitution would not be affected by the fiscal compact.

Claiming that the Government would run away from a referendum, Terry Leyden (FF) said it was terrified of the electorate after 12 months in office. It would have a tough fight on its hands.

Rónán Mullen (Ind ) said there was a need for speed in regard to a decision. “The longer this goes on the greater will be the perception that, somehow, politics is being played with this issue, that the Government is wondering whether it will secure the necessary support in order to pass it. I think there has to be a presumption in favour of consulting the people.”

Mark Daly (FF) said if the people could not be convinced by the Government that the treaty was in Ireland’s best interest, then obviously it was not. It was up to the Government to convince the electorate by weight of facts and not by scaremongering.

Marc MacSharry (FF) said a referendum was imperative. That was not to make a political issue of the matter. The failure of the political system, over several years, had been the lack of public ownership of the public policy platform.

Michael Mullins (FG) said he thought it would be an enormous waste of time and money – and possibly cause divisiveness – to hold a referendum if the Attorney General decided it was not necessary.