Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 180: To ask the Taoiseach if Ireland has reserved their right to join in the protocol negotiated by the former British Prime Minister Mr. Tony Blair on the Charter of Fundamental Rights which states the charter does not extend the field of application of Union law beyond the powers of the Union or establish any new power or task for the Union, or modify powers and tasks as defined by the treaties and continues for the avoidance of doubt nothing in the charter creates justifiable rights applicable to the UK except in so far as the UK has provided for such rights in its national law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18546/07]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Government has supported the Charter of Fundamental Rights throughout the negotiations on the Constitutional Treaty and would have been happy to have it retained in the Reform Treaty. Unfortunately, it was not possible to secure a consensus on this. It will, however, have the same legal value as the treaties and apply to all areas embraced by the European Union and where Member States apply European Law.

At the behest of the United Kingdom, a protocol on the Charter was introduced at a very late stage in the negotiations relating to its scope and application. I considered it necessary and prudent to seek an opportunity to study the implications of the protocol. While we continue to examine the technical implications, in our view, the text of the Charter itself and the wording to be included in the Treaty adequately define the scope and application of the Charter.