Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

However, the wording of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which forms part of the Lisbon treaty, specifically states that such issues will be decided in accordance with national law. Thus, it is for this House and the Dáil to decide on same-sex marriage.

It is also suggested that ratification of the Lisbon treaty could result in harmonisation of taxes, including corporation taxes. Again, the European Court of Justice has already pronounced on this issue in the case of Cadbury Schweppes, in which it was judged that tax competition is a reality and that resolving it is a political rather than a legal matter. In addition, we know that we have a veto on tax harmonisation. Perhaps it would be useful if a statement could be made by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform——