I welcome the upcoming Sinn Féin Ard-Fheis. It is not that long since the Fianna Fáil, Labour and Fine Gael parties tried to stop us from meeting in ard-fheiseanna.

Do not waste your time. A question, please.

Welcome to democracy, Taoiseach.

An armalite in one hand, the ballot box had not yet got-----

I also welcome the Taoiseach's newfound conversion to the growth and jobs agenda. When he came back to the Dáil on 14 December to report on the austerity treaty, he never once mentioned in his statement jobs or growth. He waxed lyrical and promoted the treaty around its budgetary discipline, reinforced budgetary rules for countries but there was no word about getting people off the dole and back to work. That is in spite of advice from Sinn Féin. He settled for much less that anybody else and now he is trying to play catch-up.

Is léir go dtugann an Taoiseach tacaíocht dos na beartais céanna a bhfuil teipthe orthu ar fud na hEorpa agus anseo in Éirinn.

Will the Taoiseach stand aside from these EU summits where he is very clearly out of his depth? Why does he not send Jedward to represent us? They might at least stand up for Ireland's interests.

That would fit in well with Sinn Féin strategy.

That is about as intelligent a comment as the Deputy has made so far on the treaty debate.

As an elected representative of the House, perhaps Deputy Adams might tell us whether he accepts the validity of Bunreacht na h-Éireann.

Of course I do.

Maith an fear.

Thank you. That is the first time I have heard the Deputy say that.

More diversions. Answer the question.

Never a member of the IRA.

Deputy Martin pointed out this is a change from the usual procedure in respect of the Sinn Féin Ard-Fheis but good luck to the Deputy.

Thank you, Taoiseach.

We also wish good luck to Jedward in their-----

As to the rest of Deputy Adams's contribution, it does not merit any response-----

Ask Deputy Rabbitte to give us a line of a song.

-----because he was very badly exposed in his economics more than once in the last election.

If he will pardon the pun, that is a bit rich given the mess the Taoiseach is making of our economy and that he believes that cutting-----

I hope you read the report on the Antrim Area Hospital list.

-----making savage cuts-----

Thank you.

Given that he believes in savage cuts and given his failure to put money into jobs investment and have direct Government-led investment, instead putting money into banks, that is very bad economics. That is why he supports the austerity treaty. His is a party of austerity.

In terms of the debate, or the Taoiseach's failure to take part in one, does he not think it is very bizarre that, as Taoiseach, he will be allocated some time, proportionate to what I might say on this treaty at the Ard-Fheis?

It is called balance.

He will then trot out and say his little bit and try to persuade people to say "Yes" to austerity, when people are sensible and will say "No" to it. The Taoiseach should remember it is a very good thing to say "No" to something that is not good for oneself, one's family, one's community, one's state or one's country.

Say it to violence.

Would it not be more leaderly, for the Taoiseach, to come into a television studio and inform people, leaving his policies open to scrutiny by others and have a genuine informed debate, as opposed to the hecklefest he has in the Chamber? He could argue these points so that people can take an informed decision on 31 May? I certainly hope that people will vote "No".

I completely reject the Deputy's assertions. It is also good to say "Yes" to access to money, to stability for investment.

"Yes" to jobs.

"Yes" to confidence for growth, to jobs, 1,000 of which have come to Dundalk, as a consequence of Paypal making its decision to invest money in this country.

Thirty per cent of our youth are unemployed.

"Yes" to a continued line of investment, week after week, now running at more than 1,000 jobs announced per month because of investment in our country

"Yes" to a debate.

"Yes" to opportunities where Government can make decisions about having access to finance being made available for small and medium enterprises and small business to create jobs for our young people at home.

Then why not debate it?

These are the positive reasons.

The Deputy, his representatives before him, his party outside, have come into this Chamber but they have never once supported any European Union treaty or any European measure. All he wants to do is to create publicity and garner support through protest. That is perfectly legitimate in this country. However, he has never supported a European Union issue.

Jobs.

In fact, I had to drag out of him words of credit for a multinational that decided to put 1,000 jobs into his own town of Dundalk. It took the Deputy a long time to come round to recognising that people who are his constituents will have jobs in that plant.

This treaty, for from being about austerity, is about bringing stability, confidence, investment, growth and opportunity.

It is not.

If Deputy Adams does not recognise that we have to do good housekeeping to get our house in order-----

The Taoiseach should read what was said.

That will never go away unless we fix it.

Let us have a debate on it.

Deputy Mac Lochlainn spoke yesterday about inserting the entire treaty into the Constitution.

What is the Taoiseach afraid of?

That is the kind of hypocrisy I have to listen to from Sinn Féin.

Let us have a debate.

This is a debate.

We had the blueshirts and now we have the yellowshirts.

Nul points.