Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy is mistaken. At the European Council meeting, it was very clear from all who spoke that it was unlikely that a legally binding deal will be made at Copenhagen given the rate of progress thus far, but that we will seek to establish a political framework that will enable the technical and legal drafting to take place thereafter on the basis of a committed deal by all partners. If all global partners do not sign up to a deal, it will not happen at Copenhagen and we will have to continue to work on the issue. It will not go away after the meeting in Copenhagen.

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