Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Some time ago I criticised the Taoiseach and the Government for not being up front with those Opposition parties that have supported the Lisbon treaty. I acknowledge and thank him for his response, in that the Government now is open to keeping Opposition leaders briefed on the issues that are emerging as we proceed with this business. This is important, because whatever differences may exist between the Government and the Opposition, and there are many on matters such as the economy and the manner in which the country is run or otherwise, the Taoiseach may take it that Fine Gael always has supported Ireland's position in Europe and will continue to so do. Some weeks ago, I stated that the only way the Lisbon treaty can come into effect is when the people give their decision on a different question, whenever that is to be asked. I also made the point that this must take place towards the latter part of next year. I acknowledge the response from the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs on being open to discussing these questions and how they should be dealt with.

It will be necessary to put in place a structure pertaining to ways of demolishing the extant myths, falsifications and lies about what was not contained in the Lisbon treaty and the fears generated for those who had concerns.

Let me repeat for the record that I think it is appropriate that either the sub-committee of the Joint Committee on European Affairs, which was chaired excellently by young Senator Paschal Donohoe, or some other independent group would carry out an audit of how we have transposed European directives into Irish law. This is important because there is a range of measures that were causing people concern such as red tape in business, for sheep farmers on the hills etc. Those concerns will not go away due to the fact the Taoiseach will hold a second referendum. It is important that we would be able to demonstrate that people have listened to those concerns and that at least the Government has tried to address them in the sense of having examples of how the directives have been transposed into law in France, Italy or Germany as against in Ireland, and so that one can say to people that these directives were agreed and this is the way they have been implemented in Ireland as distinct from other areas. I do not want to lessen the impact of a directive in any way but, in terms of common sense and flexibility, Government should respond here with an independent assessment of how that has happened.

In my capacity as a Vice President of the European People's Party, I attended that party's meeting before the Heads of Government meeting. I was struck by the generosity of the 14 prime ministers in that group towards this country and in wanting to help Ireland to deal with its difficulty. They recognise that Europe needs Ireland and Ireland needs Europe.

In the next 20 years, there will be the emergence of new global powers like China, India, Russia because of its natural resources, South Africa and Brazil, in addition to the United States. In there, at the tail end of that, is the European Union. Nobody wants to see a situation where catastrophe stares us in the face, as has happened with Iceland being outside of the eurozone and not having access to the European Central Bank. These all are elements of having a prosperous society where one can use the fruits to build a country where people can live their dreams and fulfil their aspirations.

It might be appropriate if the Taoiseach could respond and give us an indication of when he intends to hold the referendum. I seek clarification from the Minister for Foreign Affairs about how the declarations can become legally binding. I hope they evolve to a point where there is a specific protocol given on these matters.

I campaigned on the basis of what was contained in the Lisbon treaty in respect of the commissionerships, and I was happy with that. However, it is a concern of people and I take the point that if people feel that a Commissioner for every country is an important element of this, then I will not object to it. The declarations given from the European Council meeting for Ireland are important and valid, and will go a long way towards ameliorating people's concerns about this. If one gets to a point where the French Presidency under Presidency Sarkozy or, in June, the Czech Presidency, can evolve to a point of a legally binding protocol, then so much the better.

I would like to say a great deal about climate change and other areas of fiscal responsibility in this regard but time does not permit me to do that today.

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