Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

——-was not discussed at the European Council. It was discussed at both the Environmental and the Agricultural Councils. I think the Deputy knows that Ireland has been way behind other member states in reaching agreement on this issue.

I have given the House a clear picture as to what the United States has said. It was not based on the European issue. Other countries are concerned about this. We sought our own guarantees concerning our position, our airport and our circumstances, and we received assurances in that regard. I have made that clear, as has the Minister, a number of times.

With regard to my meeting with President Papadopoulos in Cyprus, we were involved to an enormous extent during the Irish Presidency in the search for a framework for an agreed comprehensive settlement. We have supported the UN Secretary General's efforts in this area but, unfortunately, his plan was rejected in the referendum on it almost two years ago in March 2004. Little progress has been made since. The Secretary General has been cautious since then about the prospects for any resumption of those efforts and stalemate continues. As we had been involved throughout this process and since, President Papadopoulos, a good friend and most helpful to Ireland, outlined the position to me.

In the last report of the Security Council, which was released the day before I met the President on 29 November, the Secretary General stated there had been no substantial change in the positions of the two sides on his mission of good offices. He reported that the timing was not right to appoint a special envoy to Cyprus. The position remains in stalemate but we remain helpful in trying to find a resolution of this issue.

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