Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am setting out the international legal position, regardless of the text. If a positive decision on these matters is made by the Heads of State and Government at the forthcoming meeting of the European Council, that will constitute a legally binding text. That is what I am saying. The suggestion made by the Deputy in his opening question - that it is of no legal effect - is factually and legally incorrect.

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