Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position following the rejection of the Lisbon reform treaty; the decisions the Government has reached regarding future consultation with the Irish people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34184/08]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding discussions on the Lisbon treaty; and the Government's proposals in this regard. [33996/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 36 together.

The Government has taken a number of steps to address the outcome of the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. At the European Council in June the Taoiseach gave his colleagues his initial assessment and explained that we needed time to analyse the result and to reflect on its full implications. Only then could we turn to devising solutions acceptable to Ireland and the other Member States.

The European Council in June agreed that more time was needed to analyse the situation and that it would discuss the Treaty again at its meeting on 15 October in order to consider the way forward. The Taoiseach and I have made clear at all stages that our ratification procedure and our vote would have to be respected, just as we respected the procedures and decisions of others.

Following the European Council, the Government commissioned comprehensive research, which aimed to identify our people's key concerns. The survey was conducted by experts in the research and analysis field. The results, which were published on 10 September, form an important input into our ongoing work in determining the best way forward for Ireland. The results also highlight the scale of the challenge facing us, especially in communicating more effectively about the Union's policies and purpose.

At the European Council next week, the Taoiseach will provide a thorough analysis of developments since June. The Government will not, of course, be in a position to set out a basis for a solution, as our domestic process of reflection and debate has not yet been completed.

The Taoiseach will brief his colleagues on the results of the research and on the establishment of the Oireachtas sub-Committee on Ireland's future in the European Union.

The sub-Committee is an inclusive political process designed to examine the options and challenges facing us in Europe. It will be expected to report by the end of November. The Government believes the sub-Committee's terms of reference are appropriately forward looking.

This is not a time for re-running the referendum campaign. The priority for us at this stage must be to chart a way forward for Ireland in Europe. This will involve reconciling the concerns of the Irish people with the wishes of our partners, twenty of whom have now fully ratified the Treaty while a further four have completed their parliamentary procedures. By the end of the year, it is quite possible that all 26 of our partners will have ratified.

This situation imposes a responsibility on us to strive with our partners for a solution that will enable all 27 Member States to move forward together. It has always been our firm wish to be part of the European mainstream. In the months ahead, we will be engaged in a determined effort to find a solution that respects the wishes of the Irish people and protects and develops our position within the Union.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if bilateral talks have taken place with other member states on the fallout from the Lisbon treaty referendum; the progress that has been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33991/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the nature of discussions he has had with EU colleagues following the defeat of the Lisbon treaty referendum; his plans to proceed with a particular strategy before and after the European elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34246/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of the discussions he has had with his EU colleagues with a view to addressing the issues arising in the wake of the defeat of the referendum on the Lisbon reform treaty; if it is intended or expected to have outstanding matters resolved before the forthcoming European elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34368/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 58 and 155 together.

Since the referendum in June I have discussed the outcome and its implications with my counterparts in the Council of Ministers, and with leaders of the European Parliament and the European Commission.

The June European Council agreed that more time was needed to analyse the situation and that the Irish Government would consult at home as well as with our EU partners, in order to suggest a common way forward. That is exactly what the Government has been doing since June.

Last Wednesday, for example, I accompanied the Taoiseach to Paris to again meet with President Sarkozy and Foreign Minister Kouchner, in their capacity as President of the European Council. We had fruitful discussions with them in preparation for next week's European Council.

I have also had the opportunity to discuss the situation with many of my colleagues and I will be meeting more of them over the coming weeks. The Minister of State with special responsibility for European Affairs has also been actively engaging with colleagues and this will continue in the period ahead.

In discussions with colleagues, I have been highlighting the concerns which the Irish electorate raised during the referendum campaign. I have stressed that we wish to see these concerns addressed in a manner which accommodates both Ireland's interests and those of the other 26 Member States.

On Monday, I addressed a meeting of the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament and met with President Barroso and Vice-President Wallstrom. One issue that arose during these discussions was the challenge facing the Union in the field of communications. This came out strongly from the recent research into the reasons behind the referendum result. Leaving aside the Lisbon Treaty, there is a real need for the Union to communicate more effectively. The Commission has a key role to play in that regard and we look forward to cooperating with them in making the activities of the Union, and their everyday relevance, better known to our people.

In all of our contacts in Brussels and elsewhere, we have underlined the Government's determination to maintain Ireland's position at the heart of an effective and responsive EU. All indications are that the Irish people want this positive approach to the EU to continue.

We have made it plain that we are determined to find a solution within a reasonable timeframe. I recognise that the desire for a stronger, more cohesive and more effective Union has gained momentum in light of recent political and economic developments.

At next week's European Council, the Taoiseach plans to provide a thorough analysis of developments since June. The Government will not, of course, be in a position to set out a basis for a solution, as our domestic process of reflection and debate has not yet been completed. He will brief his colleagues on the results of the research and on the establishment of the Oireachtas sub-Committee on Ireland's future in the European Union.

I hope that we will be able by the December European Council to identify more precisely the issues that need to be addressed and to outline the necessary steps to achieve our objective. It is not possible at this point to set a precise timetable for potential developments in 2009 although we fully recognise the desire of our EU partners for clarity at an early stage in relation to the basis on which the European elections will be held and the arrangements for appointing the members of the next European Commission.