Ó Cuív accused of 'revisionist rubbish'

A FORMER Fianna Fáil minister has been accused of “revisionist rubbish” and “contradictory verbiage” in an angry response to his Dáil speech on the legislation allowing for the fiscal compact treaty referendum.

Minister of State Seán Sherlock accused Galway West TD Éamon Ó Cuív of being “quite confused” in his comments on the 30th Amendment to the Constitution Bill and said it was time he was “called on the bluff and bluster we have heard from him these past few months”.

Mr O Cuív, who resigned as his party’s deputy leader because of his opposition to the treaty, supported the holding of the referendum. During his speech the former minister said in dealing with referendums “we should take the safe cross code – you look right, you look left and you look right and you then cross”.

There were “three interlocking treaties”. This was the third one and “the Government should have put the three treaties as a package to the Irish people”.

The Galway West TD rejected claims that “if we vote against it we might be thrown out of the euro. That’s a vague threat and has no substance in the law.”

Mr Ó Cuív said he was in favour of fiscal discipline but believed the treaty would instead put Ireland in “an impossible straitjacket”.

Hitting out at the Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Sherlock said he was “a cabinet minister in the previous government that brought this country to its knees”.

Government backbencher Paschal Donohue said the ultimate question people had to answer in the referendum was “show me the money”. The Dublin Central Fine Gael TD said those who supported the treaty had the answer.

The State would have access to a fund in the future and passing the treaty would also make it easier to access money from the financial markets.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said the treaty “is about managing our debt” and “voting No will genuinely not help Ireland’s” situation.

Minister of State Lucinda Creighton said ratifying the treaty was a “necessary step in the process of restoring confidence and stability”.

Fianna Fáil foreign affairs spokesman Seán Ó Fearghaíl said his party supported the Bill and the treaty but criticised as insufficient the time the Government allowed for the debate.

Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “we need an honest and robust debate and there is no room for scare tactics, auction politics or empty promises of jobs for all.”