FG STANCE:FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny has told the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs that he does not contemplate defeat for the Yes side in the Lisbon Treaty referendum.
He was responding to Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty who had suggested that “one of the likely consequences” of a No vote would be the collapse of the Government with the possibility that Mr Kenny would become Taoiseach.
Mr Doherty asked Mr Kenny for a commitment that, in the event of becoming the head of government, he would not put the treaty to the Irish people again without any changes in the text.
“I don’t envisage a No vote,” Mr Kenny responded. “I don’t contemplate defeat in this referendum.”
Commenting on a statement by Mr Kenny that the treaty would enhance rather than threaten workers’ rights, Mr Doherty said: “You and your party have as much credibility as Ryanair in the area of workers’ rights.”
Bernard Durkan TD (Fine Gael), in the chair said: “We try to be courteous to all the leaders and we want to continue to do so.” He urged Mr Doherty to avoid introducing “personal animosities”.
Mr Kenny also said it was “absolute nonsense” of Mr Doherty to suggest Fine Gael’s policy on neutrality could lead to Irish soldiers becoming involved in wars.
Mr Doherty was again rebuked by the chair for interrupting the Fine Gael leader’s response to his questions: “You are out of order. You were allowed to speak without interruption.”
When Mr Doherty persisted, Mr Durkan said: “If you don’t believe in democracy, please leave.”
Commenting on Sinn Féin’s No campaign, Mr Kenny said: “I do not understand what the relevance of the Union Jack in the Sinn Féin posters is.”
In a statement issued afterwards, Mr Doherty said: “We now have the ludicrous prospect that if Fine Gael were to be returned to government, there could be a third referendum on Lisbon. This demonstrates that Fine Gael has no intention of listening to the will of the people and raises questions regarding that party’s suitability for government.”