This morning I complimented the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Andrews, on his contribution and the officials involved in the negotiations on the Treaty in recent years. I reiterate those compliments now.
We have decided to put before the people a proposal to change the Constitution. Those of us who agree that it should be changed in the direction outlined in the debate have a job to convince the people in that regard. We will not be able to engage in an eve of vote plea to people to vote in favour of acceptance because of the money involved. Perhaps that is good because we will be obliged to address the substantive issues.
I wish the new commission well in its arrangements for putting the information, pro and con, to the people. It has a major job to do. However, I am sure it will be no worse than the efforts made in respect of the bail referendum when one needed a magnifying glass to read the details printed in newspaper advertisements. I trust the Commission's efforts will be more comprehensive and easier for people to understand. A number of meetings will be organised during the campaign at which arguments in favour of and against acceptance will be put forward. I look forward to taking part in them.
It is good that money is not an argument because our eyes might be opened to the real success of the European Union. This morning I stated that I had been convinced to vote in favour of the Maastricht Treaty by virtue of a speech made by John Hume in Galway. He placed the conflict in this country, which we are currently trying to resolve, in the context of the peace which has existed in Europe since the foundation of the European Economic Community. It is within that context that we have a duty to advocate our arguments. I trust that the referendum will be successful.