Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

It was reported at last week's European Council meeting that the Taoiseach updated his heads of government colleagues in Brussels on the Lisbon treaty and the development of the so-called legally binding guarantees. When will the Taoiseach be in a position to brief the Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas on the same progress that he was in a position to share with the other heads of state last week? I am referring specifically to the so-called legally binding guarantees that will be an attachment to the Lisbon treaty when and if it is to be put before the Irish people once again.

The Taoiseach has not responded in any particular manner to the earlier questions put by other Deputies regarding the point that has been reached on agreement on the specific areas that he is seeking to address. Can the Taoiseach share with the House what point he is at, what areas in particular are being addressed and when the specific wording of these signalled legally binding guarantees will be published? When will the Taoiseach publish the specific wording of these signalled legally binding guarantees?

I wish to ask the Taoiseach a second question in the context of the European Council. Before putting my question, I acknowledge that the Taoiseach and the Government have been very vocal in their opposition to the actions of Israel in Gaza in the recent past. At the next European Council meeting, will the Taoiseach consider calling for the suspension of the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement with Israel, accepting that we must go further than the vocal condemnation of the actions Israel has employed against the Palestinian population of Gaza?

Does the Taoiseach accept that this particular agreement affords preferential trading arrangements with Israel and that article 2 of the agreement states that it is subject to compliance with human rights? Will he consider taking a proactive position at the next European Council meeting and seek a suspension of that agreement, recognising that it refers only to preferential trading? The proposition I put to the Taoiseach for consideration does not require a cessation of all trade with Israel.

Does the Taoiseach accept that by the Government taking that stand and putting the case before the European Council and, if possible, the European Council accepting it, the suspension of this particular agreement would deliver a very important message to the Israeli Government, especially since Israel has clearly demonstrated that it is in breach of human rights, which was confirmed by the UN Human Rights Council in its report published on Monday of this week?

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