Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

This refers to Deputy Creighton's point that other countries in Europe have a desire to move forward. We must reconcile the view in Ireland that we should be part of the EU with the dilemma faced by the EU from the decision not to proceed with the Lisbon treaty. We must make up our mind what to do and that will happen in due course. I prefer genuine engagement between parties in this House on that issue, in the context of the sub-committee, to see what the red line issues are for Ireland in terms of our continuing engagement with the EU. Are there areas where we can get satisfactory assurances on certain issues? It is a useful debate to have at this point.

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