SEANAD REPORT:MEMBERS URGED that the Catholic hierarchy clarify that the Lisbon Treaty would not result in legalised abortion in Ireland.
The use of local issues, such as the future of hospital services, to oppose the treaty was strongly criticised, but some Senators argued that a Government failure to live up to promises had led to the treaty being used as a lever.
Jerry Buttimer (FG) said that, while it was tempting for people to give the Government a well-deserved rap on the knuckles, the treaty should be supported.
From his canvassing, he believed that a big campaign was being mounted on the issue of abortion. In his opinion, it behoved the Catholic hierarchy to issue a statement that abortion would not be brought in by the treaty.
Cecilia Keaveney (FF) said she was shocked by some of the literature going around, particularly claims that Lisbon would bring in abortion and same-sex marriages. It was important that clarity be obtained from the church, that it "advises people that what's going around churches . . . is not what this treaty is about".
Joe O'Toole (Ind) said he respected people who had genuine reservations about the treaty and were opposed to it for valid reasons. But farmers using their views on the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as a reason to oppose the treaty was completely unacceptable. The same criticism had to be made about hospital lobby groups. "Whatever the cost politically, we have to have the courage to stand up and say it's unfair, unacceptable and unpatriotic that people would use their local issues to put the State as a hostage to fortune."
Fidelma Healy Eames (FG) said that while the Taoiseach had spoken of bringing his parliamentary party into line on Lisbon, he had a problem because of Government reneging on promises concerning local issues such as the future of Roscommon hospital.
Camillus Glynn (FF) was concerned over the level of misinformation being circulated about Lisbon. "There's nothing but pure lies being spread in relation to it."
Eugene Regan (FG) said he hoped that the concerns of farmers about the WTO could be assuaged.
The Government, he said, had launched its campaign and the Taoiseach, Mr Cowen, had come out on the offensive in support for the treaty. The only problem was that he had not read it. That was important. "The reality is, if you have not read the treaty, how can you explain it to people and expect them to vote on it?"
David Norris (Ind) said that, in fairness to Mr Cowen, he had said that he had not read the entire treaty in detail. Mr Regan had spoken a partial truth in a partisan way, which was not helpful.