Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 8: To ask the Taoiseach if he has received an agenda for the December meeting of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41189/10]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 9: To ask the Taoiseach his priorities for the EU summit in December; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42570/10]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 10: To ask the Taoiseach if he has yet received an agenda for the EU summit in December; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42571/10]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 11: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his telephone conversation with the President of the European Commission on Friday 12 November; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43747/10]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 11, inclusive, together.

I have received an agenda for the December European Council. Discussions at the Council will focus on economic policy, including the question of limited treaty change necessary to give effect to the question of a permanent crisis mechanism; progress in the Council on the Commission's legislative proposals on enhanced economic governance; and how to ensure that spending at European level can contribute to consolidation efforts by member states. The European Council will be also informed of ongoing work on the evaluation of the European Union's relations with its strategic partners.

My priority at the Council, on behalf of the Government, will be to ensure an outcome to the negotiations that successfully secures Ireland's interests. As agreed in October, Europe needs a crisis mechanism to safeguard the financial stability of the euro area as a whole. It is intended that at the European Council we will agree both on the outline of the mechanism and on an amendment to the treaty.

As the President of the European Council, Mr. Van Rompuy's team is currently consulting member states on a bilateral basis to pave the way for the December meeting, it is too early to say what will be the exact nature of any proposals. We will have to carefully examine whatever emerges from the process but it is clear that the European Council is looking for very limited change. When we have a proposal, we will have to assess carefully any implications for our Constitution and what steps are necessary to enable Ireland to ratify changes.

I received a telephone call from the President of the European Commission, Mr. Barroso, on Friday 12 November. We discussed the statement made that morning by the finance Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK clarifying issues relating to private sector involvement in any future permanent crisis mechanism, including making it clear that any such involvement could come into effect only after mid-2013 and would have no impact whatsoever on the current arrangements.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Does the Taoiseach expect negotiations with the IMF, the ECB and the European Commission to be concluded by the date of the December Council meeting? Has the Attorney General or the Cabinet formed an opinion about the changes to the fiscal mechanism proposed by the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel? Does the Government take a view on how this can be achieved? In recognising that rules and regulations are needed, the Irish people on their second attempt gave the European Union and its institutions the Lisbon treaty, which allows the institutions to get on with their business. I would be concerned if a major change requiring a further referendum were proposed. The people signed up to allowing the EU to do its business by means of the Lisbon treaty. Has the Attorney General advised the Cabinet on the extent of change that might be necessary and whether it would be sufficiently limited that it would not warrant another referendum?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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We will have to examine carefully whatever emerges from the process. It is clear that the European Council is seeking very limited change. We do not have a proposal before us at present. We have engaged in bilateral contacts with the President of the European Council, Mr. Van Rompuy, who continues to assess the situation. We will have to carefully assess what steps are necessary to enable Ireland to ratify any change should such a proposal emerge. Until specific proposals arise, it would be idle and unwise for me to speculate further.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I appreciate that a proposal has not yet been made but, in developing the proposal which I understand the Taoiseach will present at the December summit, has the President, Mr. Van Rompuy, or his cabinet made contact with the Government to explore what sort of amendment might be made and whether a constitutional referendum would be required?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Mr. Van Rompuy has not made personal contact with me on the matter. He continues to consider it but until a proposal emerges and is circulated, we are not in a position to speculate. I have emphasised at previous Council meetings the importance of considering any proposal that emerges. I am not in a position to suggest to anyone the means of ratification that should be applied by the Irish people until such time as a proposal is examined by our legal advisers.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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What is the scheduled date for the December meeting?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I think it is 16 December but I will have to confirm that.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I understand that is likely to be the date on which the Dáil rises for the Christmas recess.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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If we are still here.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I did not set the date for the European Council meeting.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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When will this House have an opportunity to debate the issues arising at the meeting? It is traditional that we take statements on European Council meetings and the import of the matter announced by the Taoiseach today will require to be addressed by the House. When will that be facilitated and will it be debated by the 30th Dáil?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I certainly hope so.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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He might well hope so.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I assure the Deputy that I look forward to seeing him in 2011-----

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Taoiseach.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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-----in whatever capacity.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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On the canvass trail.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I hope things go well for him.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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That could apply to all of us.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Absolutely.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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He will be in Offaly canvassing

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I always knew there was a sense of humour up there on the backbenches.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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It takes a while to find it.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Clearly, we will have to take advice once a proposal is brought forward. It will be a matter for the House to discuss on its return. I expect that statements on the European Council can be taken after Christmas as we deal with the various legislative enactments, I hope, pertaining to the budget that will be passed on 7 December.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To what extent has the Taoiseach given his opinion to his EU colleagues in regard to the wisdom of a referendum on European issues? Has he taken into consideration the timing of any such referendum and the extent of support that could be relied upon in the foreseeable future?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The question of whether a referendum is required can be determined only when a specific proposal is put to us. It is not the case that a referendum is automatically required in respect of any proposed amendment. It depends on compliance with the constitutional position, based on case law and the established principles set out in various important cases which indicated the position of the Supreme Court, the only court that can authoritatively interpret the Constitution. It is idle to speculate on the matter other than to note there is no automatic requirement. Certain matters will have to be considered and it is best to wait for a proposal before taking legal advice from the Attorney General.