Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I do not think the Taoiseach answered my question. I was merely seeking a debate on the matter and not just a briefing of the spokespersons or an outlining of the contents of the declaration. There is no Joint Committee on European Affairs in place and, as such, Oireachtas scrutiny is absent. The Executive is to travel to Brussels at the end of next week where it will either sign up or not sign up to the new reform treaty. We are not sure of what will be the exact details and we will not have an opportunity to debate the declaration that will be drafted for the Taoiseach in the coming days. Why not engage in a full debate on the issue in the House next week? Ireland is the only country that will be holding a referendum on the new European reform treaty and it would be foolish for the Government to sign up to it without first hearing the views of Members.

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