Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

I very much appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the debate on Second Stage of the European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2012. As the Tánaiste set out, the Bill provides for the incorporation into Irish law, once ratified, of two important provisions - the protocol on transitional arrangements for the European Parliament and the amendment to Article 136 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

I am particularly delighted to support the Bill in the new context created by the positive outcome of last week's referendum. The Government published the Bill ahead of the referendum in order that the people would have the full picture available to them when they cast their votes. We are now moving forward with its enactment as we said we would. The referendum has sent a clear message to the world about how Ireland sees itself and how it is positioning itself to best secure its economic recovery. We have shown that we are a committed and disciplined member of the eurozone. We believe in fiscal responsibility in Ireland and every other country which has the euro as its currency. This clearly is in our interests. We have ensured this and future Governments will behave in a prudent way and have secured access for Ireland to the emergency funding available to those countries which are members of the European Stability Mechanism and have ratified the stability treaty.

In voting in favour of the treaty by such a significant margin, the people have strengthened the Government's hand when it comes to negotiating the new growth strategy for the European Union that will be the key item for discussion at the upcoming meeting of the European Council and to ensuring Ireland can benefit from any new step taken to stabilise the position in Europe's banks and sever the link between sovereign and banking debt. I welcome the opportunity we had earlier when a number of Deputies opposite were present to touch on many of these issues. No doubt we will come back to them again in the days and weeks ahead.

These are further important steps towards securing Ireland's economic recovery and are most welcome. The Government appreciates that the decision to vote "Yes" was not a straightforward one for many. The economic developments of recent years have placed a significant burden on the shoulders of many ordinary Irish people. The tough decisions we have had to take to get the economy back on track have had real consequences for people's lives, yet despite the very difficult circumstances, a very significant majority was prepared to endorse the treaty as a contribution to moving Ireland forward. It was a courageous decision and the right one. The Government recognises that it places a particular onus on us to redouble our efforts to secure growth, jobs and recovery. It is a duty we take very seriously. As the Taoiseach told the House, we will work diligently and creatively with partners to drive this agenda forward.

As I have noted, the European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2012 provides for the inclusion of two elements in the domestic law of the State. The first is a protocol to the EU treaties which provides for a temporary increase in the number of MEPs. This arrangement applies only for the life of the current European Parliament until 2014. This arose due to the fact that the 2009 elections to the European Parliament took place before the Lisbon treaty had entered into force. Under the Lisbon treaty, 12 member states were to be represented by an additional 18 MEPs. Given that the Lisbon treaty entered into force before the end of 2009, EU leaders agreed that these member states should have their full complement of MEPs for this session of the Parliament too, thus giving rise to the protocol. Given the temporary nature of its effect, this element of the Bill is essentially a matter of good housekeeping.

The second element the Bill seeks to include in the domestic law of the State – the European Council decision of 25 March 2011 amending Article 136 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union - was introduced as a means to provide legal underpinning for the ESM. The change to Article 136 is separate and distinct from the ESM treaty, but clearly the two are related. The entry into force of the ESM treaty does not require the prior entry into force of the amendment to Article 136 - a fact highlighted by the target date for the entry into force of the ESM treaty, next month, while the amendment to Article 136 is expected to enter into force in January 2013. It is wholly in Ireland's national interests to have established an ESM which is strong and robust. The amendment to Article 136 contributes to that end and as such should be embraced by Ireland and the European Union.

Since the publication of this Bill on 8 May, the Protocol on the Concerns of the Irish People on the Treaty of Lisbon was signed in Brussels, on 16 May. Therefore, there are two further EU developments that need to be incorporated into the domestic law of the State. The first is the Irish legal guarantees protocol, which I just mentioned, and the second is the Croatian accession treaty. The Government will bring forward Dáil Committee Stage amendments to this Bill to provide for these additional elements.

In 2009, when EU leaders agreed to provide a series of legal guarantees on a range of issues - including the right to life; family and education; taxation; and security and defence - they did so by way of a legally binding decision. They also agreed that, at the time of the conclusion of the next accession treaty, the provisions of the decision would be set out in a protocol to be attached to the EU treaties at the time of the next accession treaty. With the signing of the Croatian accession treaty, work was progressed on our protocol, culminating in its signing last month. I very much welcome this development as it is yet another real confirmation that the European Union keeps its promises to the Irish people.

The second element to be introduced, as an amendment to this Bill next week, is the Croatian accession treaty. Ireland has been a strong and steadfast supporter of the enlargement policy of the EU. We were among the first beneficiaries of that policy when we joined almost four decades ago, and the enlargement of the Union continues to be relevant and appropriate and a process that Ireland supports. Already our Croatian colleagues have joined us around the Council table as observers. I look forward to welcoming Croatia as the 28th member state of the Union in the middle of next year. This amendment to the European Communities Act 1972 will pave the way for Ireland's ratification of the Croatian accession treaty, which has been already ratified by the parliaments of seven member states and, of course, Croatia itself, following its referendum in January last.

I reiterate the importance of the decision taken in last week's referendum. We again have confirmation from the Irish people that they are determined to remain at the heart of the European project and are ready, willing and able to take the necessary decisions to ensure this sentiment has real effect. I very much welcome the adoption, in due course, of this Bill by the Oireachtas and look forward to pursuing actively the interests of Ireland and Europe in the period ahead. I strongly commend the Bill to the House.

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