Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Our position on the Lisbon treaty is obviously as Deputy Kenny states. What we have been doing with colleagues, counterparts, governments and institutions in the European Union is providing them with the information we have gleaned from the survey on why people voted "Yes" or "No" in the referendum in May, and indicating to them, as I did at the October meeting, the broad areas we need to discuss further as to whether concerns raised during the last campaign can be dealt with. Our task is to engage in this exercise with them between now and December. On the basis of the outcome of that exercise, we will determine how to proceed from there. Obviously, it is the hope of the Government and the other 26 member states to be able to indicate a pathway forward and the elements to move the issue forward.

On the question of spending and fundraising rules, I have not sought to address that issue in any way. It has not arisen and we are still working on the policy issues concerned.

The statements of the President of the Council obviously reflect the European Council conclusions which we discussed here last week and which indicate the hope that we can all outline the elements of the way forward by way of a roadmap.

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