Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I am still not clear about the references in the text of the summit conclusions to education and the family, or what is contemplated in those areas. Perhaps the Taoiseach might return to that.

I acknowledge that if the Charter of Fundamental Rights was adopted, it would strengthen the rights of workers both here and elsewhere in the EU. It would also strengthen the right to collective bargaining. As matters stand, however, that charter has not been adopted. That aside, would the Taoiseach acknowledge that the judgments in the Laval case and other somewhat similar cases before the European Court of Justice, have given rise to concern about the possibility of undermining pay and working conditions which are accepted as the norm here? Does he agree that it would be necessary to have those issues satisfactorily addressed in advance of another referendum on Europe?

Does the Taoiseach intend to involve the Opposition parties, particularly those which have supported the Lisbon treaty, in constructing the texts of the legal guarantees, assurances and other matters which are to be concluded as part of this process?

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