Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I really do not want to do so.

We do not have a timetable for the consultations and practical steps to which the Deputy referred. We can obtain legal advice on the constitutional issue and those matters which merited a referendum and those which did not. However, there are always grey areas in a treaty. I will come back to the Deputy on the matter at a later stage.

I agree with the Deputy's point that there is a disconnect to a degree. One of the negative impacts of the "No" campaign is that the recommendations of the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny and the Joint Committee on European Affairs cannot now take effect. The element of the Lisbon treaty that provides for a role for national parliaments in terms of greater scrutiny cannot now take effect. That is something I regret. However, I am still very anxious to work with both committees to mainstream EU issues in this House. That is an issue on which I will engage with them.

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