Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I do not want to give a biblical answer but I share the concerns of all Members of the House. The House has had an opportunity to express these concerns at committees.

I have used all the political clout I have been given in speaking to representatives from other member states. What was known as the "group of 14" has now expanded and has become the "group of 20" and this demonstrates the difficulties the majority of member states have with the deal. At the meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressed grave concern about the deal, as did his counterparts from like-minded states. The Taoiseach has been in touch with the President of the European Commission, Mr. José Manuel Barroso, to express his concerns and he has also had discussions with a number of his colleagues. He will do so again when he travels again next week.

There will be grave consequences if the deal presently on the table is accepted. It is my intention, and that of representatives of other member states, to outline our serious concerns about the lack of balance in the proposals.

See this speech in context