Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

This is not a 26-versus-one situation, this is a group of 27 countries with a set of objectives and principles to be achieved. The beauty of EU treaties to date has been that they have been able to accommodate a very broad range of views, cultures and positions from different countries and governments. In the Taoiseach's discussions with the Commission President, Mr. Barroso, the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown and the French President, Mr. Sarkozy, did any of them indicate a willingness for or comment on a full renegotiation of the Lisbon treaty? Will the Taoiseach comment on the report in the Financial Times today of the likelihood of explanatory protocols being produced by the Heads of Government meeting in October, dealing with the issues of real concern as expressed by the Irish electorate in Thursday's vote? This report states that the French in particular are anxious to move on and that explanatory protocols will be produced by October.

I note reports today of a media survey carried out by the European Commission as to the reasons Irish people voted against the treaty and their concerns in so voting. Has the Government any intention of carrying out an in-depth analysis in order to determine as accurately as possible that range of concerns? Will the Taoiseach comment on the Referendum Commission? I do not mean any disrespect to the eminent persons serving on the commission but there were a number of moments which did not help the treaty campaign in terms of explanation and objectivity. Should a group of eminent independent experts be appointed to negotiate on behalf of all sides with persons who were involved in the "No" campaign? This would be a negotiation on the alternatives which these people proposed but which need to be fleshed out, such as their views about the future and connectivity and so on. Given the majority vote against the treaty, it is obvious there are concerns across a broad spectrum of the population. It would be feasible and proper to tease out what are the concerns of some of the groups and persons involved in the "No" campaign. Does the Taoiseach envisage a situation where either the persons assigned to the Referendum Commission or some such body could deal with these concerns and discover whether there is flesh behind some of those ideas? The Taoiseach will be aware that many bogus ideas were put out. Such an examination might be helpful in the process.

We respect the rights of other countries to ratify this treaty in their own way, just as they must respect the decision of the Irish people in the way they voted. Where does the Taoiseach envisage the real crux happening? We do not want a two-speed Europe and nobody has expressed the intention of leaving the European Union. What will be the Government's position if the other 26 member states ratify the Lisbon treaty and then look to the Taoiseach for the Irish position? Where will the Government be situated before that point arrives?

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