Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. Is it the Taoiseach's intention that he will go to the Council on 29-30 October having held a referendum on the Lisbon treaty? He has had discussions with colleagues on the timing of that referendum but no date has been set. I presume the October Council will be the outer limit for having a decision here, or am I mistaken in that? Does the Taoiseach share my belief that it would be helpful to indicate a date early so the campaign in support of the Lisbon treaty could begin rather than having it deferred and distracted by other political issues that perhaps were a factor in the previous campaign.

Was there a discussion at those Councils on different models for addressing the banking crisis? The German approach deserves more attention by our Government. It requires the separation of the good element of banks from within the existing banks as opposed to what is being proposed by Government. Did he have the opportunity to examine different models and draw on the experience of other leaders as to their merits and suitability? The Taoiseach will know there is a growing opinion among the economic community that the solutions being pursued by most governments are expensive for taxpayers and uncertain in their outcomes for banks. An alternative approach that focuses attention on the creation of a good bank that could borrow is being championed by many. Taxpayers' effort focuses on the good bank, not the legacy, which is left to fend for itself over time. That is the right way. It will need co-ordination across countries so that it is not just one country pursuing it. It has great attractions and I would be interested to hear whether the Taoiseach was able to explore that.

See this speech in context