Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

The Taoiseach said the ratification process has moved on with President Klaus signing the treaty. The treaty will enter into force on 1 December. That is a new and earlier date than expected. What is proposed? Are any celebrations proposed? Will another summit meeting be held on that occasion or some other recognition of the event?

I have a question about an issue which Deputy Creighton and I have already raised, that of Oireachtas reform. What is Government policy for dealing with the new powers conferred by the Lisbon treaty on the Parliaments of member states? This is a substantial area and was highlighted by the Joint Committee on European Affairs, the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny and the special sub-committee on the way forward.

I refer to the regionalisation of the European Union which seems to be taking place. President Sarkozy's French Presidency of the EU established the Mediterranean region and the Baltic region has been established under the Swedish Presidency. Are we to expect that under the Irish Presidency in 2013 or so, the Atlantic region will be established?

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