P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action he will take to educate businesses on the Lisbon treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8506/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for European Affairs, Mr. Dick Roche T.D., is spearheading a comprehensive national information and publicity campaign on the various facets of the Lisbon Treaty. All Ministers will be working at every opportunity over the coming weeks and months to explain the Treaty to all sections of society. My contribution to this debate will include a particular focus on the business sector and on workers. The Government has recently published an explanatory pamphlet and a 22-page guide on the Treaty and it has set up a dedicated website, www.reformtreaty.ie, with a wide range of information on the Treaty. This document describes the Treaty's main provisions and explains their significance. It is written in straightforward, accessible language and anyone who reads this Guide should become well acquainted with this Treaty.

On 14th February last, a Consolidated Text of the EU Treaties was published, a copy of which has been put in every library in the country. A White Paper is also being prepared for publication next month. It will contain a thorough analysis of the Treaty's provisions and their importance for Ireland.

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs has already had discussions with both IBEC and ICTU representatives in order to generate debate on the Lisbon treaty and to ensure that the public may glean useful information in advance of the Referendum. It is worth recording that IBEC is positively disposed to the Treaty and consider that it is worthy of support. I would exhort the business sector, in general, to make its important voice heard on the positive aspects of this Treaty. Information on the Treaty is being disseminated through IBEC's own networking structures and in its publicity material. I am pleased to note that in recent weeks, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland have also called for a yes vote.

The National Forum on Europe is also playing a leading role in facilitating public debate on the Treaty. The Forum began an intensive information programme on the Treaty on 31st January 2008 when the Taoiseach took part in a debate on the Treaty with Forum Members in Dublin Castle. A series of public regional meetings are also being held. The Forum has also produced a summary guide to the Treaty.

The next phase of European consolidation and restructuring which the Treaty provides for will help the EU to prepare for the increasing rigours of globalisation and competition. The Lisbon Treaty will provide us with a new basis on which to operate institutionally so that we can tackle efficiently and effectively these great challenges that lie ahead. The Treaty is a further stage of development, an incremental and rational step to update and modernise the Union's rules and focus which is essential for the effective operation and functioning of the enlarged Union and the single market. Indeed, the Forfás review of the single market, which I recently launched, found that the single market has been important both for the growth and diversification of Irish trade and for enhancing the attractiveness of Ireland for foreign direct investment.

The Treaty will allow Ireland to continue to create a business-friendly environment, one which has seen the level of employment here more than double the level when we joined the then EEC, in 1973. The Treaty will allow Ireland to continue to be an attractive location for foreign direct investors.