Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I have a couple of questions arising from the summit. While it may not be significant in terms of the content of the outcome, people are puzzled about the reason the summit was held in two venues, with the signing taking place in Lisbon after which everybody headed off to Brussels for the summit meeting. Why could everything not be done in one venue?

With regard to the treaty referendum, the All-Party Committee on the Constitution has recommended that there should be a period of 60 days between the enactment of a referendum Bill and the holding of the referendum. Is it the Taoiseach's intention to stick with this 60-day requirement for the reform treaty? If so, what timetable does he envisage in the new year leading up to the referendum? While I appreciate that the treaty signing and so on has been completed, I am concerned that discussions have still not taken place between the Government and main Opposition parties supporting the treaty to discuss preparations for the referendum.

A European Union police and civil administration mission for Kosovo has been proposed. Would this lead to an increase in the Irish commitment and participation in Kosovo in terms of gardaí and civilians?

Yesterday, on the Order of Business, I asked about the implications of the Laval case, on which the European Court of Justice issued its decision yesterday, for pay and conditions of employment in this State and our industrial relations system. I also asked that the issue be discussed in the House at an early date. Has consideration been given to my request, given that it is desirable that the House discuss the implications of the Laval case and the extent to which the inclusion of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the new treaty will influence future European Court of Justice decisions in areas protecting workers' rights well in advance of the referendum on the reform treaty?

See this speech in context