Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I have no objection to the referral of No. 16e to the joint committee but I ask that time be given, when the committee reports, for the issue to be discussed in the Chamber with whatever recommendations the committee makes. The issues concerned are extremely important and deal with the stepping up of cross-border co-operation, which is something we have all called for in this House on many occasions and which is, incidentally, provided for in the Lisbon treaty. I am surprised that Deputy Ó Snodaigh did not refer to the strengthening of cross-border co-operation in his remarks in the context of this treaty. The other important issue that is being dealt with is the protection of personal data. Again, the Charter of Fundamental Rights is extremely strong on the protection of personal data. In fact, the Lisbon treaty will be engaging with these issues and making them stronger, more robust and more effective.

It would be ideal if, in the run-up to the vote on the treaty, once the joint committee makes its report and recommendations, that the issues would come back to the House where we could have a decent debate on them.

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