Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 13, inclusive, together.

I have received a draft annotated agenda for the European Council in Brussels on 29 and 30 October. Discussions at the Council will focus on institutional issues, climate change, the economic situation, macro-regional strategies, illegal immigration and external relations. I will also take the opportunity to brief my colleagues on the "Yes" vote in the Lisbon treaty referendum.

As I said in my statement on the outcome of the referendum last week, the resounding "Yes" vote was a good day for Ireland and a good day for Europe. The Irish people have ensured that the European Union functions more efficiently and effectively for all its citizens in dealing with global problems such as climate change or international crime prevention, to name just two. They have signalled to the other 26 member states that they want to remain at the centre of a stronger, fairer and better Europe. I believe Ireland's membership of the European Union is vital to our future prosperity and growth and the result of this referendum clearly shows that I am not the only one who believes this to be so.

I also reiterate my words of thanks to all those who contributed to the "Yes" vote, including my own party members and Government colleagues, the other parties in this House, the civil society groups, business groups, trade unions, community organisations and the various other people who lent their support to the treaty.

I spoke with a number of my colleagues from the European Council, including the President, Prime Minister Reinfeldt of Sweden, Chancellor Merkel, Prime Minister Brown and President Sarkozy, following the "Yes" vote on that date. I have since spoken with Prime Minister Zapatero and Chancellor Faymann. They congratulated the people of Ireland on the outcome of the vote and said it was an important day for all concerned. They said they were looking forward to moving past the institutional changes that had been the focus of the European Council for so long to other pressing issues which face all our countries and citizens.

I would like to put on the record of the House my appreciation for the efforts of all my colleagues at the European Council who listened to the concerns of the Irish people and made sure that they were met. I travelled to Brussels on 17 September for an informal meeting of Heads of State and Government. The meeting was called by Prime Minister Reinfeldt to ensure a co-ordinated EU position for G20 talks on recovery from the financial crisis. Discussions at the meeting focused on improving international financial regulation to ensure that there is no repeat of the financial crisis, and climate change, where the EU continues to lead in the build-up to the December Copenhagen conference. I also used the meeting to brief colleagues on the Lisbon treaty referendum campaign.

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