Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 4, line 4, before "treaties" to insert "Euratom Treaty and the other".

Section 2 effectively deals with the legal personality of the legislation. It amends section 1 of the 1972 Act to include some new definitions. This is necessary so that all of the existing Acts of the Community remain valid for the new dispensation and are correctly expressed in the new treaties governing the European Union. The European Atomic Energy Community, established under the EURATOM Treaty, is legally distinct from the European Community and European Union and, as such, should be expressed distinctly. Listed in the section, in paragraphs (a) to (d), inclusive, are the Treaty on European Union, Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the Lisbon treaty, and the treaties governing the European Communities. However, even though the EURATOM Treaty is a legally distinct entity, it is not expressly referenced.

I remind the Minister of State of the reservations expressed by the Minister, Deputy Martin, regarding the content of the EURATOM Treaty. He pointed out that it was one of the original treaties, that it had not been updated since its establishment and that such updating was long overdue. Has the Minister of State any information in this regard? It is important that the EURATOM Treaty be specifically referred to in this legislation and that it be updated for the future.

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