Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

What is the view of the Taoiseach on enlargement? There seem to be different views from some leaders. Croatia has complied with all requirements for formally joining the EU. There appear to be different views on this matter. Is there an Irish view? What are the arrangements for President Sarkozy's visit? France is taking office of the EU Presidency on 1 July. What is the purpose of that visit? Is it to discuss how the Taoiseach and the Government see the way forward beyond October?

There is a real problem in identifying the underlying reasons why people voted "No". To me, as a public representative, they cover myriad things from bogs to ivy, local hospital closures and everything else one could think of. There must be a real assessment of the reasons. Has the Government considered the arrangement it will make to determine that accurately over the next few months? Will there be consultation with other parties in the House?

There were a number of cases regarding the eminent personalities serving on the Referendum Commission, where people wondered how they could know whether the commission could not answer a question. The Referendum Commission was constrained to the extent that it was not in operation until the Bill was published, which was late in the day. Does the Taoiseach have views on the position of the Referendum Commission for future referendums on some form of a Lisbon treaty or others? The Referendum Commission was given €6 million to explain the facts of the treaty. Some European leaders told me that if they had read the Referendum Commission booklet they would not have been inclined to vote "Yes" because they thought it did not deal with the concerns and anxieties citizens would have when they vote.

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