Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

The reason this side of the House is so anxious to have statements or a debate on this issue is that there is much confusion about the fundamental difference between the constitutional treaty we were happy to sign up to and supported, and the reform treaty now being proposed. This particularly relates to requiring Ireland to be able to opt out.

There is also a contradiction in the Taoiseach's statement today as he indicated he does not wish to use the emergency brake procedure, which he created in many ways, on a daily basis. At the same time he has stated that circumstances will be rare in which we may wish to opt out. There is confusion and a great deal of concern.

There is much concern in Brussels, where our MEPs work on a weekly basis, about the approach Ireland is taking here as it is a departure from the approach adopted in the past, which has been pro-European Union.

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