Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

On the point made about the protocol, the protocol comes into effect when it is ratified by the states. That is why it is called a protocol. That is proof as to why it has full legal status. It requires ratification. One condition precedent was laid down by colleagues when I went to them after the rejection of the Lisbon treaty and explained as best I could, on the basis of what I saw, the reasons for the defeat of the treaty. They said they would speak to Ireland about all those issues, listen to our concerns, seek to accommodate them on one condition, namely, that they should not have to re-ratify or reopen the ratification process already completed in their countries. Out of respect for those countries, that was not a unreasonable requirement. They had ratified the treaty. This was in the aftermath -----

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