Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I join with the Ceann Comhairle in welcoming the Speaker of the Knesset to our Parliament. I had the opportunity a number of years ago to visit the Knesset myself, and from conversation with the Ceann Comhairle I know the value of his recent visit there.

I can tell Deputy Martin what we are for. The Government fully supports the potential of the European Union to realise economic growth within the Union and, as a consequence, provide opportunities for continued strengthening of exports, deepening of trade links and jobs and career opportunities for our people here and throughout the EU. I heard the report this morning on RTE. I have admired the work of Tony Connolly for many years; he is a good reporter. This report, however, is not accurate, and I will tell the Deputy why. Tomorrow I expect a final draft of the discussions about the intergovernmental treaty. If that is the final draft from the technical people who are meeting to discuss this, that is the draft that will be presented at the European Council meeting on 30 January. That does not mean the draft concluded tomorrow will be the draft that will be concluded at the European Council meeting, nor does it mean that the discussions on 30 January at a political level will conclude on whatever draft is before them. As Taoiseach, I am not in a position to ask for formal legal advice from the Attorney General until the politicians and the political process at Heads of Government level have dealt with the draft that comes before them.

Tomorrow, I expect a draft text will be concluded at the technical level. That text will go before the political process, that is, the Heads of Government, on 30 January. It is only when that process has been decided that I will be in a position to ask the Attorney General for formal legal advice. I hope that clears up the matter for Deputy Martin and that he now understands the process we must go through before the Government can ask the Attorney General for formal legal advice. The Deputy should also understand that if there is a requirement on this country to have a referendum, that will happen. If it is not necessary to have a referendum, that speaks for itself.

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