Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together.

I attended the European Council in Brussels on 29 and 30 October. As I will make a statement in the House later, I will merely give a summary account of the proceedings.

The Council discussed institutional issues, including implementation of the Lisbon treaty and agreement was reached in regard to the Czech position. I warmly welcome that following the Czech constitutional court's dismissal of the last challenge to the Lisbon treaty, President Klaus signed the Czech instrument of ratification on 3 November. Czech ratification will be complete when this instrument is deposited in Rome. I looked forward to seeing the treaty enter into force in December.

In regard to climate change, the Council agreed a clear and ambitious mandate for the negotiations in Copenhagen in December, including endorsing the global figure of €100 billion in international financing per year by 2020 and committing to paying a fair share of that. The Council also discussed the financial and economic situation, illegal immigration and external relations. I had a bilateral meeting with President Barroso and I informally met the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

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