Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Arising from that reply, does the Taoiseach agree the Lisbon treaty cannot be endorsed or brought into effect unless or until the Irish people decide to do so? Does he accept there are only two options, namely, to proceed down some legal route, with some element of constitutionality thrown in, or to decide to put the question to the people again? I respect the good work the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union in this regard. I have seen some of the contributions made at its meetings. I am sure the sub-committee will publish a number of recommendations or proposals when it concludes its work on 28 November 2008.

Consider the serious implications for the next European Commission, which, according to the Nice treaty, must have its membership reduced to a number less than the number of member states in the Union, that is, less than 27. There is considerable angst and concern in EU member states over the fighting of the EU elections on the basis of the Nice treaty rather than the Lisbon treaty, as they had expected. These are obviously matters for the Taoiseach and the Government to consider. Are we likely to have another attempt to have the Lisbon treaty endorsed? That is the bottom line. If that is to be the eventual decision does the Taoiseach see it happening before or after the European elections in June next year?

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