Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Taoiseach would not countenance in any way a two-tier European Union. Many other member states would be against such a scenario. At the Council meeting on Monday many member states clearly articulated that it was something they would not entertain under any circumstances.

The Deputy spoke about those countries that had ratified the treaty and those that were in the process of so doing. I said we had exercised our sovereign right to decide on the Lisbon treaty through a referendum. Other countries respected that decision and they are entitled to exercise their sovereign right to proceed with the ratification process. The British Foreign Secretary said it would be an erosion of British sovereignty if they were denied their right to discuss the treaty in their Parliament. I am very supportive of that view. We are not in a position to interfere with the sovereign right of other member states to ratify the treaty in their own parliaments.

The Deputy also mentioned Mr. Martin Schulz. That is an old engagement and has a history.

See this speech in context