Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 493: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the protocol annexed to the Lisbon treaty on the treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community amends or changes the substance, or procedures of the treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community; if there is any change in the legal base of this treaty or any new powers conferred by the protocol; and if he will make a statement on the implications for Ireland arising from this protocol. [16506/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government's White Paper on the Reform Treaty sets out the position in relation to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community.

Currently, Euratom is legally distinct from the European Community though they are served by common institutions. At the 2003-2004 IGC, while Ireland and some other Member States proposed a more extensive debate on Euratom, it was clear that there was no consensus in support of this. Similarly, the question of Euratom was not discussed at the 2007 IGC.

Accordingly, the Reform Treaty simply contains a Protocol along the lines proposed by the Convention on the Future of Europe held during 2002 and 2003, maintaining Euratom as a separate legal entity and making minimal technical changes to it. Therefore no change of substance in relation to Euratom arises from the Reform Treaty.

Ireland, together with Germany, Austria, Hungary and Sweden make a Declaration (number 54) annexed to the 2007 IGC's Final Act noting that the core provisions of the Euratom Treaty have not been substantially amended since its entry into force and need to be brought up to date. They called for an Intergovernmental Conference on Euratom to be convened as soon as possible.

The Government's position is that it would have favoured an extensive review of the Euratom Treaty, leading to a significant updating of its provisions. It has made clear that this continues to be its position.