Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position on the report of the European Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs on the development of relations between the European Parliament and national parliaments under the Treaty of Lisbon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42335/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The report on the development of relations between the European Parliament and national parliaments under the Lisbon treaty was adopted by the European Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs on 13 March 2009. Following debate in plenary session, it was adopted by the European Parliament on 7 May 2009.

I welcome the report's conclusion that the enhanced role for national parliaments under the Lisbon treaty will "contribute to stronger democratic control and bring the Union closer to the citizen". That was a point I made repeatedly during the Government's campaign for a "Yes" vote in the Lisbon referendum.

The report takes stock of current relations between the European Parliament and national parliaments and addresses a number of recommendations to national parliaments on how these might be improved in the future. I note that it proposes "new forms of pre- and post-legislative dialogue" and advocates strengthening of the network of meetings between corresponding committees of the European Parliament and national parliaments. The report also urges various innovations from the national parliaments such as the right for MEPs to participate in meetings of European affairs committees of national parliaments.

It is a matter for the Oireachtas to judge how best to respond to the report's proposals and suggestions. The Oireachtas has already shown its willingness to engage with the European Parliament, including by allowing for the attendance of Irish MEPs at the Joint Committee on European Affairs. In making arrangements for closer relations with the European Parliament, it will be important to have due regard for the role of COSAC, the Conference of Community and European Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of the European Union.

Domestic preparations are in hand to give effect to the new role of the Oireachtas, as under the Lisbon treaty, and in particular the provisions of protocols 1 and 2 of the treaty. The European Union Act 2009 gives effect to the relevant provisions of the Lisbon treaty in the domestic law of the State and section 7 of that Act provides for the new powers of the Houses of the Oireachtas under the terms of the treaty.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister's comments on this important report of the European Parliament. I would like to see the Irish Parliament adopt a strong position, which due to the system we have in this country must be led by the Government. The provisions of the Lisbon treaty in regard to national parliaments are exciting. They offer a huge opportunity to bring Europe and European affairs to our citizens. We have an opportunity to shape how that will happen at a European level.

The previous resolution of the European Parliament on national parliaments was in 2002. That indicates the level of priority that was given to this issue when the Treaty of Lisbon was being negotiated and was going through the ratification process. Now that is done we are in a position to move on.

The report contains some exciting proposals. We can even look beyond that at the elements which need to be driven from a domestic level. There have been several joint parliamentary meetings between national parliamentarians and MEPs. I attended one such meeting in Brussels yesterday and the previous day. Deputy Dooley and Senator de Búrca attended as well. It is not a satisfactory forum at all. It is far too big and unwieldy and it is very difficult to focus on issues of mutual concern. The way forward has to be through co-operation via committee structures involving members of national parliaments with MEPs who have specific expertise in a particular area where they can drive an esoteric agenda.

I urge the Minister to look seriously at the proposal to have a state of the European Union debate on an annual basis in the Chamber and to allow MEPs to participate in it. That would send a strong and positive signal.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Swedish speaker has called a meeting of all national speakers for next month and the Ceann Comhairle has been invited to see specifically how national parliaments will implement the Lisbon treaty provisions.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am in broad agreement with the Deputy in terms of the points she has made. However, I fundamentally disagree with the point she made at the outset, that given the system we have, this must be led by Government.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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The Government has a majority on every committee and in every vote.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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During the campaign on the second referendum on the Lisbon treaty the Oireachtas came together in committee. It did not come together on Government and Opposition lines. I accept most members were pro-Lisbon treaty, but they were not divided along party lines. There is an opportunity for Parliament to come to the Executive. We are often criticised for the way things are organised; that the Executive leads the Oireachtas. I do not wish to be overly prescriptive or to impose a solution on the Oireachtas. The solution must come from the Oireachtas. That is my genuine position. Issues might arise and we might not agree with everything. The Executive will have a position on some issues, as will I and the Government. I cannot determine these matters on my own.

From 1 December on, the provisions of the Lisbon treaty will come into force. We have to work quickly on the administrative arrangements to give effect to the new disposition, which will mean that all laws will come directly to Parliament from 1 December onwards. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle has already said that the speakers will meet under the Swedish Presidency. There is a need for the Oireachtas to come together, perhaps at committee level or through the Ceann Comhairle, to put together a programme on how parliamentarians consider we should move forward.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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I agree fully with the Minister. I do not suggest that the Executive should impose a prescriptive way forward but the report of the Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union from this time last year contains specific recommendations that can fundamentally transform our engagement with the European Union and in so doing facilitate meaningful engagement with the people of this country on the European Union. Will the Minister accede to the demand of that committee to introduce a mandate system that would require Ministers to come before committees? It would have far-reaching consequences for the Minister and his colleague in terms of their powers. Is he prepared to make that sacrifice to introduce a system that would replicate the system that is hugely successful in the House of Commons?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am not so sure that it is hugely successful in the House of Commons or that the British system is the ideal one to follow. Every Minister should go before their respective committees prior to going to the Council. I have views as to whether they should get a mandate from every committee they meet prior to every Council meeting. That is something that can be discussed. Currently, it does not happen-----

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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It is nearly 12 months since that report was issued.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As we speak, Ministers do not go before every committee. When I was in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment I did not attend the relevant committee prior to attending a Council meeting. There was no great demand for the committee to have the Minister of the day before it either. It is different in the case of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. We are well used to that in the Department of Foreign Affairs. We go before the European Affairs committee before every foreign affairs Ministers' meetings. That is a good approach but I agree we should have a joint session or a state of the union debate here at least once every 12 months, if not more. At Government level we are bringing forward proposals and working on how the Cabinet and the administrative system can engage with Europe on a more effective and co-ordinated basis in the future because the one lesson we must learn from the first and second Lisbon referenda-----

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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We must move on.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----is the need to communicate Europe more effectively and make it an integral part of political life.