Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his proposals for the improvement of accountability to parliaments of Member States of the European Union in relation to decision making on common, foreign and security policy and European security and defence. [30865/07]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 323: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the EU process for law making and the impact of the proposed treaty changes on this process; the scrutiny process in place here of EU legislation; the changes that are proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31068/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 323 together.

A key purpose of the EU Reform Treaty, which will be signed by Heads of State and Government on 13 December 2007, is to strengthen the democratic legitimacy of the Union. Since 2006, the Houses of the Oireachtas and other national Parliaments in the Union have received European Commission proposals directly from the Commission. The Reform Treaty will strengthen current arrangements by giving national Parliaments longer to respond to Commission proposals and by increasing the onus on the Commission to take into account national parliaments' reasoned opinions on whether or not a Commission proposal respects the principle of subsidiarity. The Commission can be obliged by National Parliaments to review and to justify a proposal. This strengthened role for national Parliaments, which has become known as a "yellow card" system, is a positive development which will enhance accountability and democratic legitimacy within the Union.

The Reform Treaty aims to simplify the EU's decision-making procedures. In most instances, a double majority voting system will be used in the Council of Ministers whereby a qualified majority will require 55 per cent of the Member States and 65 per cent of the Union's population. The role of the European Parliament will also be strengthened by the Reform Treaty, with additional policy areas being subject to co-decision between the Council of Ministers and the Parliament. At national level, the European Union (Scrutiny) Act in 2002 improved the arrangements for scrutiny of EU business by the Dáil and the Seanad. Thanks to the work of the Sub-Committee on European Scrutiny, parliamentary oversight of proposed EU measures has been greatly enhanced. At national level, the European Union (Scrutiny) Act in 2002 improved the arrangements for scrutiny of EU business by the Dáil and the Seanad. Thanks to the work of the Sub-Committee on European Scrutiny, parliamentary oversight of proposed EU measures has been greatly enhanced. Under the Scrutiny Act, the following measures are subject to scrutiny: regulations or directives; joint actions and common positions under the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP); and a range of measures in the Justice and Home Affairs area.

In relation to CFSP/ESDP measures, my Department informs the Oireachtas as to the content, purpose and the national implications of such proposals. 56 such proposals were scrutinised in detail in 2006. I also arrange to brief the Joint Committee on European Affairs, in advance of each meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, on items to be discussed, the majority of which usually relate to CFSP/ESDP issues. I welcome the establishment of the new Joint Committee on European Scrutiny under the Chairmanship of John Perry T.D. The establishment of the new Joint Committee may have implications for the Guidelines for Departments on Oireachtas Scrutiny of EU Business, which are prepared by my Department. We will consult with other Government Departments and the Houses of the Oireachtas in the coming weeks in relation to the preparation of the new Guidelines.