Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Government is appreciative of the all-party committee's work on this matter prior to the December Council meeting. It made recommendations on what can be done nationally as well as what has to be done in terms of assurances and allaying of concerns that specifically are best dealt with through the process of protocols when these are ultimately obtained in respect of certain issues. Further clarification will be given in respect of others. This is a comprehensive agenda that the Minister for Foreign Affairs is working to, as is the European Union committee.

On the question of the ongoing work, we are working within the timeframe, as I have said, to have these matters dealt with at the June European Council. I do not accept that all these matters have been finalised. It is a question of getting agreement from partner countries as well, which have to sign up to this. It is not just a matter of bringing it to the table on that day. The Presidency, of course, has the task of gauging the support of other member states for the text we propose to put.

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