John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I compliment Deputy Tom Hayes on the important points he has just made. The Minister will have taken on board the point that the reactions from the farming, business and other sectors are very important. I compliment the Minister on the White Paper, which is a highly readable document and welcome this opportunity to debate the Bill. If approved, the Bill will allow Ireland to ratify the Lisbon treaty. It is therefore of vital importance in defining Ireland's future in the European Union and the economic and social future of this country. I will be wholeheartedly supporting the treaty and will urge the people of my constituency to agree to ratify it in the referendum to be held on 2 October.

When Ireland joined the EEC in 1973 there were nine member state. Now that the Union has expanded to 27, common sense dictates that a larger organisation, like any business, must revise its rules to advance the common good and streamlining the decision-making process of the EU institutions will make them more effective, efficient and flexible. In our capacities as the chairs of the Oireachtas joint committees pertaining to European matters, Deputy Durkan and I visited Stockholm last weekend. On visiting the Parliament there, we encountered great expectation and determination and there will be bitter disappointment unless this measure is ratified for the benefit of the entire Union.

The Irish people have a unique chance in the referendum on 2 October to give their verdict on the proposed modernisation of the EU institutions as set out in the Lisbon Treaty. The treaty offers the best deal for Ireland and for Europe. The treaty represents the best balance of interest between co-operating with other EU member states and the protection of our national interests. These national interests have been further protected on foot of the European Council decision of 19 June, on which I compliment the Minister, which put beyond any doubt that the Lisbon treaty will not affect in any way Ireland's taxation policy, which is critically important, our traditional policy of military neutrality and our constitutional provisions in respect of the right life, education and family. There is also agreement that Ireland will retain its Commissioner if the treaty is ratified, which is highly important.

However, it is not simply for these reasons that I consider the treaty to be good for Ireland and for Europe. The Lisbon treaty goes further than any other treaty in enhancing the democratic accountability and legitimacy of the European Union. I refer in particular to its new title on democratic provisions, which for the first time will give national parliaments, including the Oireachtas, a formal standing within the European Union's institutional architecture. A point that was not sold the last time was that of the role of Dáil and Seanad Éireann and the enhanced powers were not explained effectively. This issue is dealt with well in chapters 2 and 4 of the White Paper.

As part of the overall package, the Lisbon treaty seeks to involve national Parliaments more closely in EU policy making. The treaty aims to encourage the involvement of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann as a means to ensure that decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizens of Ireland and the Union. According to Article 5, national Parliaments will become the guardians of the principle of subsidiarity, dealt with in chapters 2 and 4 of Annexe A. Subsidiarity ensures the EU only acts within the limits of the powers conferred on it by the member states. All draft EU laws will have to be forwarded to Dáil Éireann for scrutiny. Eight weeks will have to pass before draft laws can be put on the agenda and a further ten days must elapse before a position can be taken.

I refer to holding the Government to account. Under a yellow and orange card mechanism, Dáil Éireann can oblige the European Commission to re-think a draft legislative proposal. The proposal can even be defeated if the Council of Ministers or the European Parliament support the opinion of a majority of the national parliaments.

The Joint Committee on European Scrutiny published a report in May 2008 on the new provisions of the Lisbon treaty enhancing the role of national Parliaments, which was debated in this House in June 2008. In this report, the committee strongly supports the Lisbon treaty provisions that would enhance the role of Dáil Éireann in the EU political process. The committee noted that the proposals have been supported by the European Parliament. The committee strongly recommends that significant reforms are made to Dáil and Seanad procedures to ensure regular consideration of EU matters in plenary session. The Ceann Comhairle has also examined this matter. As an important start, we recommend that the Dáil and Seanad should allocate at least one day a month to consider EU business.

If the treaty is approved by the people, which I hope it is, the Oireachtas will have to decide how to implement these important democratic provisions. The Joint Committee on European Scrutiny has already built up much knowledge and expertise in the area of checking that draft EU laws respect the principle of subsidiarity. I envisage this committee having a role in implementing the new powers given to the Oireachtas under the Lisbon treaty. The treaty will also enable national parliaments, including the Oireachtas, to take part in any future treaty revisions. If the proposed amendment to the treaties involves a change from unanimous decision making to qualified majority voting or co-decision, any individual parliament has the right to veto the proposal. This is an important debate. We cannot get it wrong on this occasion. There is an obligation on all parliamentarians to canvass so that this referendum is passed.

See this speech in context