Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

There are three areas in which I want to ask supplementary questions of the Taoiseach. I share the Taoiseach's welcome of the decision in the recent referendum on the Lisbon treaty and join with him in expressing the appreciation of the Labour Party, particularly to the many civil society groups which participated in the referendum campaign.

What is the Taoiseach's current understanding of the Czech Government's position on the ratification of the Lisbon treaty? My understanding is that President Klaus is refusing to sign the ratification instrument of the treaty and is seeking some kind of an opt-out from the Charter of Fundamental Rights for the Czech Republic. I saw press reports to the effect that the Czech Government intends to bring that issue to the summit meeting in October.

In regard to the October summit, three sets of appointments must now be made. The first is the appointment of President of the European Council. The name of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been mentioned in that context as a possible candidate. Is it intended to make that appointment at the October summit and what is the position of the Government on appointing a President of the European Council? Does the Government have a preferred candidate or is a range of candidates being considered?

What is the position on the appointment of an EU high representative, which I understand is also to be made at the October summit? Have candidates been considered for that and what can the Taoiseach tell us about the issue?

When does the Taoiseach expect the rest of the Commission to be appointed? There has been some speculation in European capitals that the rest of the Commission will be appointed at the October summit. The Taoiseach previously said to me that it was not intended to do this at the meeting and the only intention was to appoint a high representative, with the rest of the Commission being appointed at a later stage. Will the Taoiseach give an update to the House on the appointment of an Irish representative and what progress is being made from a Government perspective on the identification or nomination of an Irish member?

My understanding of the September summit is that a case would be made to the G20 summit, which was to take place afterwards, on the limiting of bonuses paid to bankers internationally and the establishment of a new global financial supervisory system for banks. I do not recall any outcome from the G20 summit in respect of those requests, which I understood were agreed at the September summit by EU leaders.

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