Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Arising from the Taoiseach's reply, I wish to ask a few more questions if I may. In respect of Lisbon, the special all-party sub-committee is doing its work well. It is identifying issues in a way that may not have been reflected upon before. I respect the sub-committee's work and I assume it will produce its own recommendations in due course. However, at the end of the day, the Lisbon treaty cannot come into effect unless it is endorsed by Ireland.

It can only be endorsed by Ireland in one of two ways. The first is by some sort of legalistic constitutional route, which is not favoured because the people have already been asked the question, and the second way is by an analysis of what else one can do, or by asking the people another question in some form or other. I assume European governments are telling the Taoiseach they need to get this matter out of the way as quickly as they can because they must make a decision on whether to hold the European elections on the basis of the Nice treaty. If the matter is not decided before then, the European elections will become a quasi-referendum on Lisbon. Does the Taoiseach have a view on that matter?

The Taoiseach said he had not read the treaty and the Irish Commissioner had not read it either. As regards the issues that arose and which were identified in the analysis here, including conscription, abortion and corporation tax, does the Taoiseach think they can clearly be dealt with beyond any doubt? Does the Taoiseach foresee a situation where declarations will be made to provide absolute clarity? Will the Government address the question of an opt-out on justice? Will the Taoiseach be in a position to give his European counterparts a definitive answer in December as regards the Government's intention to endorse Lisbon in such a way or not?

While a general election is not due in Britain for some time, I am concerned that if one takes place there sooner and the Conservatives win — they seem to be a long way in front in the polls — then Lisbon will be dead. Mr. Cameron has said he will withdraw the approval of Lisbon given by Prime Minister Brown and his predecessor, Mr. Blair. I am sure that is a matter for consideration by the Irish Government as well.

As regards the banks, the Taoiseach said a number of options need to be considered and assessed. Has the Government carried out an assessment of the ability of Irish financial institutions to continue to trade? From my experience of talking to business people around the country, credit facilities are drying up. They are being tightened to a point whereby businesses are finding it exceptionally difficult to continue. As Deputy Bruton has pointed out on many occasions, credit and access to money provide the oil that keeps business moving. The Taoiseach should consider this matter seriously because if credit is drying up or restrictions are now being put in place that causes credit to dry up, then firms will go out of business. We must all examine the situation seriously. Has the Government carried out an assessment of credit flow available to businesses in Ireland? Having analysed the options to which the Taoiseach referred, will the Government have to put in place a recapitalisation scheme for Irish financial institutions? If so, to what extent will that be necessary?

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