Michael McCarthy (Labour)

This can be done only if additional resources are put in place.

I want to raise two points, about the Lisbon treaty and the HSE service plan. The latter has been seen by RTE. The renegotiation of the Lisbon treaty was seen exclusively by "Morning Ireland". When will the Government treat these Houses with some level of democratic respect and discuss what is happening in regard to the Lisbon treaty with this House first? To keep saying that we will keep the Commissioner is probably missing the point with regard to the fundamental aspects of workers' rights. In order for the second referendum on the Lisbon treaty to be passed the Government will need the goodwill of other Members and parties in both Houses. There must be reassurances in respect of workers' rights in order for us to support the Lisbon treaty. I ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to come into the House and discuss the Lisbon treaty with us.