Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. I share his sentiment that this obviously will be good for Ireland and Europe. We intend to play our part in that as fully as we can.

Is the Government concerned about a revelation in a recent opinion poll that support for the EU reform treaty has halved since the previous poll? No more than the Taoiseach, I do not get carried away by opinion polls. Nonetheless, it is an indicator of interest in the whole European process. It looks as if all parties in the House, save one, support the treaty. The National Forum on Europe and the Institute of European Affairs are disseminating information so that the public can make up its mind. In that sense, a real challenge is presented if that recent opinion poll reflects any degree of truth.

Will the Taoiseach raise at the summit, as I have with leaders of the European People's Party, the question that surfaces often of the harmonisation of corporate tax rates within Europe? This could be very damaging for Ireland and we should resist it completely. In the context of Europe looking at Ireland to make a decision, this should be cleared up and assurances given that the EU does not intend to follow through on that matter. A recent European People's Party document placed no urgency on this. However, it is important for the leader of the Government to state this in respect of Ireland's position.

Is the Taoiseach concerned about comments attributed to Commissioner Fischer Boel that an expedited review of the Common Agricultural Policy should take place? The Taoiseach has often spoken about the fact that on a number of occasions we signed on for changes to the CAP. The last change was to carry us through to 2013. While everybody recognises the inevitability of change I would not see it as helpful for this country if the European Commission or the Council proposed an expedited review of the CAP given that this is a crucial decision for Ireland and Europe.

A fortnight ago, I made the comment publicly that if we put a case before the Irish people for the passing of a referendum on children's rights and enshrining them in the Constitution, whatever the legislation is and whatever the people decide we should underpin those rights with a system of family courts that is separate and distinct and focuses on family law with trained judges and mediation services available. With children's rights enshrined as central to our Constitution they should have such a family law system. Does the Taoiseach agree with this principle? It has worked well in a number of other countries. Compare this to what we have which is fragmented and dissipated and causes endless controversy and difficulties for thousands of people. I do not suggest we have a referendum on this on the same day.

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