Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I return to the Lisbon treaty. The Taoiseach said we were assessing the implications of our decision through the work of the sub-committee and considering how the reason Ireland voted "No" can be addressed and how we can move ahead. There are some practical problems in that regard. By this time next year we will have to deal with the question of the Commission and its size. Currently, the Commission is decided on the basis of the Nice treaty — for which we voted on the second occasion — and this means the Commission must be smaller than the number of member states and some countries would lose out in terms of the appointment of a Commissioner. Does the Taoiseach envisage a situation whereby the lifetime of the existing Commission could be extended into 2010, which would allow for plenty of time for the Taoiseach to consider the options open to him, and the question of the extension of the Commission would not be a constitutional issue? I would say the 27 member states could agree this.

From my involvement with the European People's Party, I can confirm for the Taoiseach that there is a major practical issue with regard to the holding of the elections next June on the basis of Nice, rather than Lisbon as originally intended. The Irish people have made their decision on this and it is expected the elections will be fought on the basis of the Nice treaty, which has implications for the number of MEPs in a number of countries, but does not impact on us. Does the Taoiseach see this issue being addressed at the December summit or is it a foregone conclusion that the elections next year will be held on the basis of the Nice treaty?

Another problem brought to my attention relates to referenda generally, where there may be a need for tidying up. No disrespect to the current incumbent, but a number of people have mentioned that the period of time for the Presidency is seven years. There seems to be a view that this might be adjusted to a five-year period, but this would require a referendum. I do not know whether the Taoiseach's immediate predecessor is interested in that, but I hear comments in that regard in various locations around the country. Has the Taoiseach a view on that?

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