Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union analysed the issues arising from the first Lisbon treaty referendum and its report was a major contribution to our understanding of those complex issues. The report unequivocally stated that Ireland's place is at the heart of the European Union and recommended that key concerns be addressed, that public understanding of the EU be improved and that the Oireachtas role in EU affairs should be enhanced.

In regard to the Lisbon treaty, the sub-committee identified a series of issues and options which were very relevant to the discussions leading to the legal guarantees agreed by the European Council in June 2009. The sub-committee also identified measures which could be taken at local, national and European levels to improve public, political and media understanding and engagement on European issues.

The Government is committed to improving communication on Europe and this is reflected in the revised programme for Government which contains a specific commitment to further enhance Ireland's place at the heart of Europe by encouraging the deepening of engagement by civil society at a European level. My Department's own Communicating Europe Initiative provides financial support to non-governmental and educational bodies for events and activities which aim to raise awareness of the EU in their community. A call for such proposals for 2010 was advertised last weekend in the national and regional press and the application form is available on www.eumatters.ie, http://www.eumatters.ie/the website created by my Department to provide easily accessible and reliable information about the European Union.

With regard to the role of the Oireachtas in European Union affairs, this House approved a motion on 10 December last on the implementation of new powers of national parliaments under the Lisbon treaty. This motion took note of the coming into effect of the Lisbon treaty and the European Union Act 2009 and also the Joint Report of the Joint Committees on European Affairs and European Scrutiny on Implementation of the Lisbon Treaty: Interim arrangements on the enhanced role of the Houses of the Oireachtas, of October 2008. The motion provides that detailed work to support the role of the House will continue to be undertaken by the relevant committees. I also understand that it is the intention of the joint committees to consult, over the coming period, with key stakeholders, including the Ceann Comhairle, the Cathaoirleach, the Government, party Whips, the Leader of the Seanad, party leaders and the Irish MEPs. I shall be happy to appear before the joint committees as part of this process.

In light of the positive developments since the sub-committee's report, and particularly in the context of the forthcoming comprehensive review of the role of the Oireachtas in European Union affairs, I would not see added value in the establishment of an all-party task force on its recommendations.

I take this opportunity to express again my appreciation of the work of the sub-committee which made a substantial contribution to the debate on the Lisbon treaty leading to the referendum last October. In deference to the House, there was a reluctance on my part to prescribe to the House what should happen. It is in the hands of the House to create its response to the Lisbon treaty.

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