Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

——in the North of this island would never have occurred. The significant achievements made in the past 12 months were brought about because people were prepared to continue to play their part and to imaginatively explore the options. Does the Taoiseach accept that he has not so explored the mandate the electorate gave him in the referendum on the Lisbon treaty to the effect that he should engage directly in respect of this matter? Let us ignore the fact that other member states are not minded to introduce changes. We have heard that mantra on many occasions from the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The reality is that the Taoiseach had a task to undertake. Does he accept he has not taken action in respect of that task?

The Taoiseach stated this matter relates to democracy. That is certainly the case. However, whether he has been engaged in an exercise of democracy is another matter. Many of us who voted "No" can detect neither respect nor regard for the position we articulated when we made our choice in the referendum held earlier this year.

The Taoiseach did not reply to a number of the questions I posed. In respect of President Sarkozy's contribution vis-À-vis the expected treaty relating to Croatia's accession in 2010 or 2011, will the Taoiseach state whether, unlike the position heretofore, this treaty and all future accession treaties will not be put to the Irish electorate? If President Sarkozy is indicating that the legally binding declarations relating to Ireland are to be part of such a proposition and if it is the case that these will not be put to the Irish electorate, does it not follow that the Taoiseach is asking the people to buy a pig in a poke? On foot of his earlier comments, will the Taoiseach acknowledge that he does not have a clear vision, in written form or otherwise, of what was allegedly agreed in the run-up to and during the European Council meeting which took place last week?

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