Déirdre de Búrca (Green Party)

Like Senator Hannigan, I welcome the announcement that agreement was reached last night in Croke Park on the international treaty banning the use of cluster munitions or cluster bombs. The central role played by Ireland in organising this conference and in pushing forward the issue must be acknowledged, as must the role the United Kingdom is playing. It appears that its Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown, is keen both to support the treaty and to try to persuade other significant world powers, such as the United States, China and Russia to consider embracing it. The only issue that remains to be clarified fully and which is important, pertains to what happens in the case of joint operations. My understanding from the news that broke this morning is that the ban on such cluster munitions in the 100 states that have signed up to it will have the effect of preventing them from participating in joint operations with other powers that use cluster munitions. Clarity on this issue would be welcome and the Leader might ascertain whether this is the case.

The other issue I wish to raise this morning is the Lisbon treaty, which is to the fore in everyone's mind. Members may have noticed this morning that my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has mentioned his concerns that failure to ratify the Lisbon treaty could derail the negotiations and progress made in respect of climate change agreements and talks. This also pertains to agreements on emissions reductions that the European Union has pursued proactively. Even in the short time that remains before the referendum on 12 June, the Leader should consider inviting the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources before the House to explain to Members the importance of the Lisbon treaty in addressing the issue of climate change, the present position of the negotiations and the direction in which he envisages them going, were the treaty to be ratified. In addition, the Minister could explain the issue of energy policy because a significant provision in the Lisbon treaty gives the European Union new competence in this regard. Ratification of the Lisbon treaty will result in significant attention and support being given to the promotion and development of the renewable energy sector across the European energy market. In addition, there will be much greater action on energy conservation.