The single biggest decision made by the Irish people will be made on 12 June in respect of the Lisbon treaty. As the Taoiseach is aware, the Lisbon treaty has the full support of the Fine Gael Party since it was first agreed and even before it was signed in December.

Be aware.

The Taoiseach will be aware that from the outset I have openly advised the public and the supporters of this party to set aside any differences with the Government on this issue and to campaign strongly and vote for the treaty. It is my firm belief that this country's future lies in being at the heart of a coherent, strong and effective Europe which will equip our people to deal politically and in every other way with the challenges that lie ahead. The recent opinion polls have highlighted the difficulty of those of us campaigning for a "Yes" vote in getting across the message to the people so that they are fully and properly informed when they make their decision on 12 June. From that perspective it is very necessary that all the parties supporting the Lisbon treaty would co-operate fully in the endeavour of informing people as fully as possible so that they can make their minds up on 12 June. In that regard I will continue to put the country first and will continue to campaign vigorously right through to the end of this campaign for a "Yes" vote.

This is not a comment which the Taoiseach should take personally but I was disappointed at the tenor and import of his remarks at the weekend in regard to both Fine Gael and the Labour Party — for whom I do not speak on this matter — about the effort that good people all over the country are putting into the campaign. People who are supporting the "Yes" campaign but are not supporters of Fianna Fáil have felt the antagonism. It is necessary that the Taoiseach clarifies this matter. I ask him to withdraw that remark and to say he encourages everybody who is supporting the "Yes" campaign to continue to do so. We do need co-operation among those supporting the "Yes" campaign to have everybody properly informed about what is in this treaty and how it can equip Europe to meet the challenges that lie ahead. From that perspective, the Taoiseach's remarks at the weekend, as reported, have caused a great deal of antagonism and difficulty for people supporting the "Yes" campaign who are not supporters of Fianna Fáil. In the interests of harmony and running a cohesive "Yes" campaign by all parties that support the treaty, I ask the Taoiseach to withdraw those remarks and clear this matter up.

I do not understand what the issue is for the Leader of the Opposition.

He knows nothing. He does not understand.

In response to a question I was asked about the opinion poll, I indicated that all the parties that support the referendum intend continuing to ramp up and intensify our campaign over the coming two and a half weeks. If people want to seek out offence I suppose they can take it. I would not offer any offence to anybody — quite the contrary.

Was the Taoiseach misquoted?

I am simply making the point that an opinion poll is a snapshot of opinion. I was glad to see we were ahead in the poll. I have said on numerous occasions this is not a party political matter. I was asked a question and simply said we were all going to work hard over the coming two and a half weeks to ensure we get the result in the national interest. Any interpretation to the contrary does not take into account the import of what I had to say. I have plenty of reasons to have rows with Deputy Kenny on a range of issues, but I have no issue with him on this matter and never had. Rather than trying to find offence where none is intended, and none was actually offered, we should just get on with the campaign and proceed. That is the point and any interpretation to the contrary is mistaken.

So the Taoiseach was wrongly reported.

I am not looking for anything out of this. My focus is on having the treaty endorsed by the Irish people and passed by them with a resounding "Yes" vote. In order to do that they will have to be properly and fully informed, but they must also be enthusiastic about wanting to come out to vote. The Taoiseach's remarks, as reported, were to the effect that his party is the most pro-European in the campaign and that other parties, including Fine Gael and Labour, should crank up their campaigns to the level of the Fianna Fáil one.

The Minister for Finance said that if Fine Gael exercised dictatorial control over its members the Lisbon treaty might be passed. It is perfectly obvious to all and sundry, however, that this party was first out of the traps with its campaign, including posters and public meetings. The fact is that the Taoiseach's remarks have caused a deal of antagonism across the country. I am telling him this face to face. It makes my job more difficult and from that perspective I think he should withdraw those remarks, as reported. That would be in everybody's interest. The Taoiseach has admitted he has not read the treaty. The Tánaiste had her difficulties with the commissioners.

I corrected that.

Our EU Commissioner has not read this treaty. The Green Party is campaigning for and against the Lisbon treaty. In the interests of everybody working in co-operation and harmony to see that there is a "Yes" vote, we need co-operation among the parties that are campaigning for a "Yes" vote. I ask the Taoiseach again to withdraw that remark and clear the air. He should not antagonise or insult members of the public or parties that are campaigning for a "Yes" vote but who are not members of Fianna Fáil. It is in the Taoiseach's interest and that of the country for him to do so. If the Taoiseach takes this occasion, two week's before the people are asked to decide, to deal with this matter he will not hear me mention it again. He now has an opportunity to respond and I hope he will do so positively in the spirit in which I have made this contribution.

I have no issue with Deputy Kenny at all. I am trying to indicate that I responded to a question concerning an opinion poll that was published in the Sunday newspapers. In my response I indicated that I had every confidence that we would all be working hard to ensure we get this through. The opinion poll contained the information but I did not conduct the poll. I am not making an issue about the opinion poll.

This has nothing to do with opinion polls.

I am not making an issue of it.

There are to be no interruptions.

It is ridiculous.

I am not making an issue of it. I was simply responding to a question which was put to me. All I am saying is that we are all on the one side and there is no reason for any contention. We should get on with the business and at the end of the day we want to see a successful outcome on 12 June.

So the Taoiseach was misquoted.

I am sorry if some people are taking offence but none was intended. I can do no more than to say that because that is the truth of the matter. If it is interpreted in a certain way, or if the response from the Deputy's own press officer or his party's press office is the way it was, I cannot forecast how he will take what I have to say. I listened to many remarks over the weekend but I do not take them personally. I do not care what the Deputy has to say about me.

Likewise, Taoiseach.

It does not worry me. That has nothing to do with it.

I am glad to hear him say that he is sorry.

Deputy Kenny is out of order.

I do not take offence, so I do not see why anyone else is taking offence.

I accept the Taoiseach's remark that he is sorry that any offence was caused.

It was half-hearted.