Dáil debates

Tuesday, 31 January 2006

Ceisteanna — Questions.

Official Engagements.

2:30 pm

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, in Spain on 28 November 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37545/05]

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 2: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the EuroMed conference in Barcelona; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37546/05]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 3: To ask the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his attendance at the recent EuroMed summit in Barcelona. [37548/05]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach the matters discussed and conclusions reached at his meeting with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, on the margins of the EuroMed summit. [37549/05]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 5: To ask the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his recent visit toHungary. [37656/05]

Photo of Trevor SargentTrevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 6: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the outcome of the Euro-Mediterranean summit held in Barcelona at the end of November 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37986/05]

Photo of Trevor SargentTrevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 7: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the Cypriot President, Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos, in November 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37988/05]

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 8: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos. [38005/05]

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 9: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the Hungarian Prime Minister, Mr. Ferenc Gyurcsany, in Budapest. [38006/05]

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 10: To ask the Taoiseach the matters discussed and conclusions reached at the EuroMed summit in Barcelona; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38008/05]

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 11: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on bilateral meetings he held on the margins of the EuroMed summit in Barcelona. [38009/05]

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 12: To ask the Taoiseach if he has contacted the German Chancellor, Ms Angela Merkel, since she took office. [38010/05]

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 13: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the President of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38769/05]

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 14: To ask the Taoiseach the number of meetings planned by the National Forum on Europe during 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39752/05]

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Taoiseach when he will next meet the President of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39770/05]

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the December 2005 meeting of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39775/05]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 17: To ask the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of the December 2005 EU summit in Brussels. [40392/05]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 18: To ask the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his meeting with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, on the margins of the December 2005 EU summit. [40393/05]

Photo of Trevor SargentTrevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 19: To ask the Taoiseach the results of the December 2005 EU summit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1229/06]

Photo of Trevor SargentTrevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 20: To ask the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Hungary. [1231/06]

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 21: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the matters discussed and conclusions reached at the recent European Council summit in Brussels. [1852/06]

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 22: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on meetings he held on the margins of the recent European Council summit in Brussels. [1853/06]

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 22, inclusive, together.

I visited Budapest on 25 November for a meeting with Prime Minister Gyurcsany. At the meeting, we discussed issues on the EU agenda and, in particular, the negotiations on the financial perspectives for 2007 to 2013 and the development of Ireland's economic relations with Hungary. While I was in Hungary, I also launched the Irish-Hungarian Business Circle, a new body designed to promote trade and economic contacts between Ireland and Hungary.

I attended the EuroMed tenth anniversary summit in Barcelona between 27 and 28 November. The Barcelona conference of EU and Mediterranean Foreign Ministers in 1995 marked the start of a new partnership phase of the relationship between the European Union and the Mediterranean. The tenth anniversary summit was co-chaired by the British and Spanish Prime Ministers. The summit adopted a code of conduct on the fight against terrorism and approved a chairman's statement. In addition to almost all of the Heads of State or Government of the European Union, the summit was also attended by representatives from the EU's Mediterranean partners including Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey.

I attended a dinner hosted by the King of Spain and delivered a national statement to the plenary meeting of the summit. I also had a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister Mr. Blair to discuss issues on the EU agenda, including the future financial perspectives, and Northern Ireland matters. I met leaders from Palestine, Morocco and Israel and had a short exchange with the new German Chancellor, AngelaMerkel. I had previously written to the new Chancellor congratulating her on her appointment. I used this opportunity to reiterate my congratulations and indicated that I would be happy for the Chancellor to visit Ireland when her diary permitted.

I hosted a working lunch for Mr. TassosPapadopoulos, President of the Republic of Cyprus, on 30 November. The President's visit marked a further step in the very positive relations between Cyprus and Ireland and we reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening economic, trade and cultural ties. We also had a very constructive discussion on developments in the EU in the run-up to the December European Council, focusing in particular on enlargement issues and future financial perspectives. The President briefed me on prospects for progress in the United Nations-led process in Cyprus.

I attended the European Council in Brussels on 15 and 16 December. As I made a statement to the House last Wednesday I will not go into detail on its outcomes. The main outcome was agreement on the financial perspectives for the European Union for the seven years, 2007-13. The agreement is a good one from Ireland's point of view as it respects the October 2002 agreement on CAP funding and the 2003 CAP reform programme.

The Prime Minister Mr. Blair was chair of the European Council and in that capacity had discussions with all delegations on the issues on the European Council's agenda, in particular the financial perspectives. I did not have any additional bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister as I had already had a substantive bilateral meeting with him in London on 9 December in preparation for the European Council.

I am sure the National Forum on Europe will hold a number of meetings during 2006, continuing its good work on the period of reflection on the European Constitution. However, as the National Forum is an independent body and I have no function in its day to day operations, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on its planned work programme for 2006.

While I have no immediate plans to meet bilaterally with the President of the European Commission, who visited Ireland in July 2005, I will meet the President at the forthcoming European Council.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is pleasing that the categorisation of questions has been somewhat changed from the last time, when it was the subject of discussion in the House. At least Questions Nos. 1 to 22, inclusive, are on European issues.

CAP direct payments and market support amount to €293 billion of the agriculture budget. Is the Taoiseach satisfied there will be no further review of the Common Agricultural Policy until 2013, as has been stated? He referred on a number of occasions to the fact that there have already been major reviews of the policy, and changes implemented. Is he satisfied that the Government's decision to withdraw Part 3 of the nitrates directive and remaining sections can be implemented without a serious loss of production of up to 30% for many farmers, not just those involved in pigs and poultry? There is very serious concern about the method of implementation of the directive by the Government.

Extraordinary rendition has been raised in the House by a number of Deputies. Is the Taoiseach and the Government satisfied with the guarantees given by Condoleezza Rice and the US Government that no persons are being transported through, to or from Shannon for the purposes of inhuman or degrading treatment or torture?

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is outside the subject of the questions, which is EU issues.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Is there consensus on the matter among European leaders? As a nation that is friendly with the US and has strong historical, economic, political and cultural ties, is there any other way it can be demonstrated that there is nothing to hide? Perhaps we might be invited to inspect some of the planes.

The Taoiseach has had a number of meetings with Heads of Government and contacts within the European Union since the December European Council. Arising from yesterday's revelation in respect of the early child care supplement, did he brief those Prime Ministers on the package that the Irish Government was introducing to ensure that no abuse of this would take place? Is he happy, having done that, with the number of children of migrant workers currently in this country who will be eligible for this benefit and does he have an accurate figure of the extent of it?

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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On the financial perspectives, particularly the elements dealing with agriculture, the overall agreement was excellent from our point of view because we expect that, over the next period, our receipts will amount to about €14 billion, while our payments will be €13 billion. We will not become net contributors until the very end of the round, based on present projections, and we anticipate, notwithstanding our economic success and increase in national prosperity, that we will hold this position, which would effectively mean that we will have been 40 years in the European Union before becoming a net contributor. That is an extraordinary achievement, based on our per capita figures.

Throughout the negotiations, as Deputy Kenny noted, we had a number of clear objectives, the main one being the future of Common Agricultural Policy funding. The agreement is very satisfactory to us. We never had difficulties with an examination or review of the process or the system but we had issues with that taking effect during the round and breaking the previous agreement. The position for which we and the French had effectively lobbied throughout the month, with some limited support from a few others, was maintained. They will begin that process in 2008 and 2009 with a review of the overall budget but the decisions will take effect at the end of the next financial perspective in 2014. That would be the normal position, even in this round. The Commission papers were published in 2003 and 2004 and there is always a long run in with these issues. It was the same in respect of the 1997 and 1998 papers and negotiations for the 1999 position did not start until 2000. That is a satisfactory position.

On the nitrates directive, I am well aware of the position. The Deputy would be best tabling questions but we believe that the position we have obtained following long negotiations is a satisfactory one, and this has been explained to farm leaders and in Europe.

On rendition, the position is clear because, in the view of the Government, we have categorical statements on behalf of Ireland, whereas other countries do not have these. After acting on our position on this, we received categorical assurances from Condoleezza Rice, which were confirmed by the embassy as late as last week. We are happy with those, although as I stated last week, we will take full account of all ongoing investigations, including the inquiries conducted by Senator Marty and others.

The position on Shannon has been made clear by the US authorities and, because the matter has arisen so many times, we have gone back to seek clarity on it. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, sought and attended a meeting last year at which he received categorical assurances with which we are happy. In line with international agreements, if there are no issues of doubt, one must stick with international conventions, which we have done. However, we did not just leave it nor have we taken up any cosy arrangements. We have stressed our position and concerns to United States authorities and to one of its most senior representatives. She has given assurances to us and we must accept them on that basis.

I have raised the issue of the early child care supplement, not so much to brief them on our position but to find out what other countries were doing and to find out how they were handling it. The regulation, EU 1408 of 1971, which is old states migrants from EU member states working in a country — in this case in Ireland — whose dependent children are resident in their own country are entitled to claim child benefit here in respect of their children, either in full or as a top-up if there is an equivalent payment at a lower rate in their country of origin. The regulation has been in place for 35 years and we were aware of it.

Obviously the numbers traditionally have been very low but they have started to increase. There are not many, quite frankly. I do not want to highlight this on the basis of an ad, but the numbers are small. We have to look at what other countries are doing and see if there is a need to do anything else. On the face of it, the regulation is very clear but I want to ascertain what others do. I do not mind us abiding by our situation with very small numbers. Somebody asked me today if we knew about this issue and of course we did because the new payment is based on child benefit. We will honour our commitments.

In the past, of course, this regulation has benefited Irish people. We were the substantial beneficiaries because Irish people emigrated to other EU states which had much more generous social welfare systems than we had. That was particularly the case in the 1970s and the 1980s, when Irish people were leaving in droves. The position has turned around. Recent benefit rate increases here, EU enlargement and net immigration have reversed the effect of the regulation. We have been advised that the reciprocal arrangement which has been in existence for over 35 years also applies to the early childhood supplement. In order to seek this benefit, the recipient must be working or self-employed. Therefore, it is not operated as a draw for persons who might simply wish to benefit from the social welfare system.

If we look at the broader picture, there are many reciprocal arrangements in place. Last year we received over €420 million for the Vote for the Department of Health and Children, mainly from our neighbours in the United Kingdom, in respect of health treatments here for people who worked abroad, including many Irish people.

I am interested in how other countries are handling this issue. We have taken a very generous position in the last few years, which was the right thing to do in our role as supporters of enlargement. In terms of what we have received, as I pointed out in my earlier reply, we will be 40 years taking from the EU before we give anything. Our aim is not to breach the rules but I always like to be sure we are doing what everyone else is doing. That is why I sought the information on what others are doing.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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As I understand it, the early child care supplement was introduced by the Government on the basis of child care costs as they pertain in this country. Was the Government fully aware of the implications of the payment being linked to child benefit and therefore being available for children not living here? Given the supplement was introduced as a child care cost measure, a different categorisation could have prevented any abuse, and notwithstanding the directive, it would also have meant we would not run the risk of abuse.

Does the Taoiseach know the number of migrant workers here who have children living abroad? Is it well over 100,000 or——

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is a separate question which does not arise in these questions.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am asking about the element that is a child care cost.

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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They are linked. If a person is in receipt of the new payment, he must be in receipt of child benefit. Our figures were based on that. The numbers are not huge as of now but we must protect the position. We are talking about a small number of thousands. In child benefit cases, we would be talking about less than 2,000, while benefit might be double that. I was aware of this and discussed it with the Department of Social and Family Affairs as far back as October. When we were doing our work on the child benefit costs, the cadre of resources in that was based on the new benefit so there is a direct link between the two.

Hopefully, in all these issues where there are reciprocal arrangements, there is no problem with something that has existed for 36 years as long as it does not escalate into big numbers. We have taken a more generous position than others but that changes for all the other member states on 1 May. For people who did not make our moves on 1 May 2004 the two years are up.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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On that issue, it really does not matter what others do. The Taoiseach says he wants to know what others are doing but that does not matter. If EU law requires it, then that is the position. What does it matter what others are doing? The Government introduced an early years payment so it would be separate and different from child benefit. The Government considered adding the money to child benefit, a tax refund and a number of other things, but the Minister specifically brought in a different and separate payment and conveyed the impression that it was to assist with the inordinately high cost of child care in this jurisdiction for children irrespective of their nationality. He communicated something different from what the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, has found out. The numbers he used in parliamentary replies of 350,000 children make that clear.

On the EuroMed summit and the statement the Taoiseach made in the newspapers after that summit that the time had come to call for a debate on enlargement, what considerations did the Taoiseach have in mind that motivated him to call for that debate?

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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To briefly return to the other issue, it always matters how EU regulations are applied in different member states and how people handle them. It is a regular occurrence that EU regulations are administered slightly differently in different jurisdictions; they are curtailed in some ways and extended in other ways. We have always had an open position and we transpose EU directives far quicker than most member states and implement them to the letter of the law — from my long experience, we do so far better than most.

In this issue, all I am saying is it matters how others administer schemes, particularly such a generous scheme. In social welfare and other areas, when a country improves its position, there are payments, whether they are pensions or welfare systems, that operate under reciprocal arrangements in member state countries and we honour them. We did so in this case as well. When we improve our lot and there is a reciprocal arrangement under EU regulations, we pay up.

On enlargement and the EuroMed summit, as we come to the end of a long round of enlargement that has been taking place since 1990, and the changes of 1988 and 1989 with eastern Europe coming in, now is a good time to look at where we go in future enlargements. The decision has been made on Turkey and how to implement it, and everyone accepts it will be a long drawn out issue. Even the Turks will accept we are talking about a decade.

The decision on Croatia has also been made. More recently, the decision was made to move to the next stage with regard to Macedonia. The Thessaloniki Summit during the last Greek European Presidency a few years ago indicated that we will have to deal with the whole region, including Bosnia Herzegovina and half a dozen other countries, on some basis when they meet the criteria.

More recently, my interpretation of the new neighbourhood agenda, which started under the Irish Presidency as a means of building up new neighbours in the south and east, was that it would build a different kind of stabilisation agreement and a new understanding of the benefits for the countries in question in dealing with the European Union, while not moving to EU membership. Ukraine would be the clearest country on the agenda. Other people have a different, more expansive view and would be prepared to enter another round of enlargement involving several of these countries.

As Deputies will be aware, a number of the countries involved in the new neighbourhood agenda, which includes Morocco and other countries in the Mediterranean region, aspire to European Union membership or as close to it as they can get. Having moved from nine, to 12, to 15 to nearly 30 members, I do not see how we could start another round of enlargement which would take membership up to 30 or 40 members without first introducing the changes necessary for the European Union to function which have not been formalised because of difficulties with the draft constitution. Those who hold another opinion are entitled to it but I think they are ill advised.

I have colleagues who have an expansive view of the nature of Europe's frontiers and think the continent has no end. In recent years, under Commission Presidents Santer, Prodi and now Barroso, I have said that somebody needs to start drawing a line because otherwise — Deputy Rabbitte will not disagree with me on this — pressure builds somewhere and suddenly one must sign up because it would be a terrible disappointment for a country if one did not move on.

With regard to budget and other arrangements people say we must decrease the budget. Most of the large member states were in the 1% club this time and wanted to go back on the financial perspectives. Fortunately they were driven on with the help of Chancellor Angela Merkel. One cannot keep pressurising the Commission to fund the European Union and provide programmes, plans, objectives and aims and then decide not to finance it. The new neighbourhood initiative should be used rather than having endless pressure for enlargement.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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At the December summit the Taoiseach met the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, at a meeting which coincided with the so-called Stormontgate affair and the revelation about Mr. Donaldson. What implications does he consider these developments will have for the restoration of the institutions? Does he believe they might compromise the Government's relations and contact with Sinn Féin?

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I discussed those issues at the meeting I had on 9 December, not at the summit. As the Deputy will recall, the Prime Minister had very little information and was not able to cast much light on what was happening. Subsequently, with my ministerial colleagues, I discussed this matter with PSNI Chief Constable, Hugh Orde, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, discussed it with some of his ministerial colleagues. We received an explanation that gave us some light. As I said earlier in the year, it is best to move these issues on. As it was explained to me it would neither damage nor enhance my relationship with anybody, so we just move on. Satisfactory answers on who was watching who were never given. The more it is explained the more it appears it was a complicated web in which everybody watched everybody. It will not affect our relationship.

Photo of Trevor SargentTrevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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The December summit in Brussels issued a statement on climate change and sustainable energy which referred to the Gleneagles plan of action. Was this taken on board, particularly in the area of technology transfer, during the Taoiseach's visit to India, and did it figure in his discussions with President Kalam or Prime Minister Singh? Will the Taoiseach indicate whether the nuclear non-proliferation treaty arose? Given that India has not signed up to the treaty Frank Aiken would have wished a Fianna Fáil Taoiseach to raise it.

Neither France nor the Netherlands has indicated there will be a new poll on the European constitution, while the Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, taking on the Presidency in the second half of this year, has called on states that have already ratified the EU constitution to accept possible changes to the text. Is that view being treated with any sympathy by the Irish Government? The Polish President's view is that a new convention is needed to write a brand new constitution. Does the Taoiseach support either of those positions or does the Government have another view on the matter?

On the EuroMed conference and counter terrorism, I note a code of conduct on counter terrorism was agreed in Barcelona. Following that agreement can the Taoiseach say whether any serious view is being taken of the Council of Europe investigation that has accused European governments of silently condoning the practice of abducting suspected terrorists and transporting them? Is any serious view being taken of Amnesty International's open letter to European Heads of Governments which states: "any involvement of member states in such transfers [extraordinary rendition flights as they are called] including the mere act of allowing facilities at airports is equally in breach of international law"?

In the Taoiseach's reply to Deputy Kenny he mentioned that Dr. Rice was clear on behalf of the US Administration on this matter, but my recollection is that Dr. Rice refers to prisoners. She does not refer to the landing of planes used in the transfer of prisoners, empty or otherwise. Can the Taoiseach respond to that? Amnesty International's understanding under international law is that assisting the transport of the planes used, empty or otherwise, is viewed as complicity under international law. Has Dr. Rice been clear, as the Taoiseach stated, not only on prisoners but on the planes that have been identified as involved in this type of activity?

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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As I said last week, Dr. Rice stated that Irish airports were not used in any way related to these issues, for planes or people or anything else. She has been absolutely, categorically clear that Irish airports were not used. Her reply was re-stated through the Embassy last week. On the question of the Council of Europe investigation, it has made a number of recommendations and issued guidelines on which we would look positively. The rapporteur is Senator Dick Marty, who was appointed in November by the committee for legal affairs and human rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He is expected to present his report to PACE this week, if he has not done so in recent days. That investigation is continuing in parallel with the Secretary General's questionnaire and the senator's original remit to examine secret prisons has since been extended to include rendition allegations. The Government is happy to co-operate in the conduct of that investigation if requested to do so. The parliamentary committee is also examining the issue and has set up a temporary committee to investigate allegations of the transport of illegally detained prisoners by the CIA in European countries. The committee has been mandated to collect and analyse information to find out whether the CIA or other intelligence services carried out abductions or extraordinary renditions, detentions and torture in secret sites. We will co-operate with any of those investigating bodies. The European Commission of Human Rights also asked for information.

There has been movement on the issue of climate change. However, I suggest to the Deputy that he put down a question to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, who deals with such issues.

Photo of Trevor SargentTrevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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What about the European constitution?

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Different prime ministers expressed different views on the European constitution. The Government's position is that we made an agreement last year that we would have a period of reflection, which would come to a conclusion in the summer under the Austrian Presidency. We are abiding by that decision. As part of that process, other countries' governments are entitled to state their views about how they see things going forward. We have had a debate on the issue here and I have attended many conferences that have debated the proposed constitution. However, we must continue to feed into the debate under the Austrian presidency and see how we are in the summer when the Austrian Presidency concludes. One cannot just pick bits out of what was a carefully balanced document, negotiated right throughout the convention period. Some countries have a simplistic view that they will go down through the index and tick off the bits that are convenient to them, while saying that we should amend other parts. I do not agree with such views. The agreement was carefully balanced and one cannot just take out one section and proceed on that basis. It just will not work. People are entitled to articulate views that are unworkable, but we need to be honest now and again. Many of the suggestions which involve cherry picking the constitution will never happen, so making speeches like that are of little use.

Photo of Trevor SargentTrevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I also mentioned the non-proliferation treaty.

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, but I divided the questions and that will be in the second question.

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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From his extensive contacts at these meetings in Europe can the Taoiseach give some indication — and the period of reflection is nearly over — of the direction in which the debate on the constitution is going, as far as the European political establishment is concerned? What will emerge from the debate? Will the constitution be put again to the French and Dutch people in its present form and therefore to the Irish people? Perhaps the Taoiseach could elaborate on that.

Did the Taoiseach have discussions with the many people he met, in particular the Hungarian prime minister, about the controversy that has developed over the kidnap and transport of prisoners for torture in countries outside of the European Union? What attitude have the other EU states adopted towards this issue? Are they all as trusting as the Taoiseach in accepting the denials of the United States Government?

There is something that intrigues me that the Taoiseach, perhaps, might clarify immediately. He said previously, and again today, that he accepts wholeheartedly the assurances of the United States Government in regard to this country not being used for these so-called renditions, in other words, flights to torture. In view of the fact that the same Government gave the Taoiseach a totally fraudulent reason for the invasion of Iraq, does he not suspect that, perhaps, he should not trust it a second time? Has it occurred to him that it might be lying to him again?

Last, we know that CIA-chartered planes——

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should confine himself to the question. Deputy Ó Caoláin also has some questions.

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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——have used Shannon. Why is he so sanguine about that? If it was known, for example, that international heroin traffickers had planes going from Shannon——

Photo of Rory O'HanlonRory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should conclude.

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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——the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform would be leading a search party there. How does he square this circle?

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Taoiseach elaborate on his meeting with the President of Cyprus? Will he report progress on the issue of the illegal occupation and partition of the island of Cyprus by Turkey? Did the Taoiseach offer assistance in the move towards the reunification of that island and the establishment of normal relations between Cyprus and Turkey? On the issue of his many foreign visits and meetings with heads of state and prime ministers, is he telling the House that the issue of extraordinary rendition has not been discussed or raised by him? Will he be specific as regards what opportunities he has availed of to reflect on this very important issue, particularly now that the European Council has indicated that there is confirmation of the suspicions regarding this practice by the CIA and other agencies? In the light of that, what action, if any, does the Taoiseach now propose to take, particularly on Shannon?

In the matter alluded to earlier by Deputy Kenny, was the nitrates directive discussed at the EU summit, at the margins of it or indeed at any of the other meetings the Taoiseach attended? Did he raise the issue, particularly given that it is due for implementation at midnight tonight and the fears arising therefrom as regards the impact of these regulations on Irish farming, not least on intensive farming practices involving pig and poultry producers? Has the Taoiseach taken steps to try to alleviate the impact of these measures?

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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In reply to Deputy Joe Higgins, matters are moving along well. The socialists and the hard left around Europe are firm in their view in favour of a constitution. Most of them believe——

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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The fake socialists.

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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——as Deputy Joe Higgins does, that the original proposal I negotiated was the correct one and they are ready to support it. However, opinion on the right is more difficult and we must see how that works out. Nonetheless, I know the Deputy and I will be on the one side if there is a campaign on this issue.

The nitrates directive——

Photo of Trevor SargentTrevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Another U-turn.

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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——-was not discussed at the European Council. It was discussed at both the Environmental and the Agricultural Councils. I think the Deputy knows that Ireland has been way behind other member states in reaching agreement on this issue.

I have given the House a clear picture as to what the United States has said. It was not based on the European issue. Other countries are concerned about this. We sought our own guarantees concerning our position, our airport and our circumstances, and we received assurances in that regard. I have made that clear, as has the Minister, a number of times.

With regard to my meeting with President Papadopoulos in Cyprus, we were involved to an enormous extent during the Irish Presidency in the search for a framework for an agreed comprehensive settlement. We have supported the UN Secretary General's efforts in this area but, unfortunately, his plan was rejected in the referendum on it almost two years ago in March 2004. Little progress has been made since. The Secretary General has been cautious since then about the prospects for any resumption of those efforts and stalemate continues. As we had been involved throughout this process and since, President Papadopoulos, a good friend and most helpful to Ireland, outlined the position to me.

In the last report of the Security Council, which was released the day before I met the President on 29 November, the Secretary General stated there had been no substantial change in the positions of the two sides on his mission of good offices. He reported that the timing was not right to appoint a special envoy to Cyprus. The position remains in stalemate but we remain helpful in trying to find a resolution of this issue.