Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

That is a significant consequence of our decision. We can argue about it and the Deputy may decide that he does not agree, but that is the reality to me. There are other issues as well, but I have responded to the question the Deputy posed.

As regards Deputy Creighton's point on the second referendum, we have not confirmed with anybody in terms of a decision that the Government has taken because we have not taken a decision. We have undertaken to bring clarity to the situation at the December Council and to provide direction for the period ahead after that Council. To date, we have undertaken an analysis of the underlying reasons why people voted "Yes" or "No". We commissioned that comprehensive research and published it. An Oireachtas sub-committee has been established to examine the broader issue of Ireland in the EU and the key issues in terms of our EU membership. That work will be finished by the end of November. The Government is undertaking its own internal examination of all the options, legal and so on.

It is clear, however, that there is no desire on the part of other member states to renegotiate. The presentation by Deputy Ó Snodaigh is overly simplistic. It is also misleading to the extent it suggests the potential exists to renegotiate the Lisbon treaty substantially; it simply does not. It takes 27 states to renegotiate, while 24 parliaments have now ratified the treaty. There is absolutely no desire to renegotiate it, but we are endeavouring to provide some resolution for this country. It is in this country's interests that we provide some roadmap forward. We are not acting in a slavish manner to other European leaders. We have worked in concert with the European leaders.

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