Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Ó Snodaigh has reminded me that I did not provide an answer in respect of a question put by Deputy Howlin. I will place the relevant information on the record of the House when replying to Deputy Ó Snodaigh.

In respect of the Basques, in the first instance we should be guided by the Spanish Government. This issue will have to be dealt with in that context. A number of remarkable and welcome changes have occurred in northern Spain in recent times. I welcome the fact that peace will come and I hope the peace process in Spain will bring an end to acts of terrorism and acts against members of the civilian population. A parliamentary question relating to this matter has been tabled for tomorrow and I will deal with it in greater detail at that stage.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh inquired when there will be finality in respect of the proposed treaty change. The matter is due to be dealt with by the European Council on 25 March. The issue of when the Dáil will discuss the matter will very much depend on what happens with regard to the general election. I have no special knowledge regarding the date on which the general election will be held. If I had such knowledge, I would not share it Deputy but would rather use it to my benefit within my constituency. The matter in question will be dealt with by the next Dáil. Changes must be made to give permanent effect to what is proposed and these will come about in the next year.

The Deputy raised an extremely important point which was also raised by Deputy Howlin. I apologise to Deputy Howlin as he left the Chamber because I believe I did not deal adequately with the question he put. The point at issue relates to the legislative or other proposals which will fall to be dealt with. Basically, there are a number of such proposals. The first of these relates to the issue of the sanction on voting rights, which received pretty short shrift from several member states, including Ireland. I would not like to be the Minister responsible for asking the Irish people to approve of such a sanction in a referendum. The answer supplied would be extremely short and the second word contained in it would be "off".

There are a couple of proposals arising from the work done by President Van Rompuy and others to which consideration must be given. A regulation to strengthen the preventative element of the Stability and Growth Pact has be brought forward and everyone would welcome this. We need a better-regulated path in this regard. Deputy Creed referred to this during his contribution. There is also a regulation to strengthen the corrective element of the Stability and Growth Pact and we must consider how to make it stronger by introducing the necessary corrections.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh also referred to sanctions and enforcement. A proposition in this regard remains on the table. How we will proceed in this area will be dealt with in the longer term. From speaking to representatives of other member state Governments, from visiting those member states and from attending Council meetings, I am of the view that having the suspension of voting rights as one of the sanctions would not be acceptable. This goes to the heart of the matter, namely, the fact that Ireland is a member of a community. There are no large or small countries within such a community. One of the essential secrets of the success of Europe has been that member states, regardless of whether they are large or small, are treated with equal respect as nations. The proposal on voting rights has no chance of getting off the ground.

There is also a regulation relating to making corrections to macro-economic imbalances. Related to this are issues about the enforcement of measures to correct imbalances in the euro area. Work has also been done on a directive on fiscal frameworks. All of these matters will fall to be dealt with in the very long term. Anything that would have a major impact in the context of treaty change would obviously have to be dealt with by the Houses.

I already dealt with the question of when we are likely to see change in the agreement relating to the treaty. This will happen after 25 March next, when the European Council is due to meet. That date is not necessarily of more significance in the context of events in this country.

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