Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I assure Deputy Gilmore there is no question of being in denial about the result of the referendum. We all know what the result is. The question arose in terms of the European Council meeting, which will be held this week, coincidentally the week after the referendum. Normally there would be statements in the House after a Council meeting. If we held a debate then, we would have the benefit of the full gamut of discussion of what had developed. It would inform a debate in the House.

I am very glad to accommodate debates on the European issue and the economy during the course of this session. The House should debate those issues comprehensively. If Members want a debate on the Lisbon treaty prior to my attendance at the Council meeting I have no problem with that and it can be fitted into tomorrow's business for two or three hours. Since there will be no solutions or decisions at Thursday's Council meeting, I would have thought the normal procedures of a debate after a European Council meeting would have been more beneficial to the House.

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