Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

In regard to the new reform treaty, did the Taoiseach say that 90% of the substance of the old constitutional treaty would be included in the new proposals? Is it not a fact that the leaders at that time determined, almost precisely, the substance of the reform treaty? In effect, is the intergovernmental conference now drafting what was decided at that time? Was there not a commitment to a constitutional referendum made on the basis that 90% of the constitutional treaty would be included in it?

The Taoiseach entered a caveat at that summit that Ireland would opt-out of the Charter of Fundamental Rights or that it would retain the right to do so. Has the Attorney General studied the documentation sufficiently to determine that Ireland will not exercise the opt-out clause?

See this speech in context