David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the location and attendees of the meetings he has had over the past month regarding the Lisbon treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38491/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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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 European Council agreed in October that the Irish Government will continue its consultations with a view to contributing to finding a way to resolve the situation. That is exactly what the Irish Government is doing.

Over the last month the Government has been very active in consulting with EU partners. At the beginning of October the Taoiseach again met President Sarkozy, in his capacity as President of the European Council, this time in Paris, a meeting which I also attended. I also accompanied the Taoiseach to the European Council meeting in Brussels on 15 — 16 October, during which the Lisbon Treaty was discussed and formal Conclusions adopted.

I have also had the opportunity to discuss the situation surrounding the Lisbon Treaty with many of my colleagues during bilateral meetings. On 2 October, I met with the Czech Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs, Alexandr Vondra in Dublin. I visited Brussels on 6 October and held separate bilateral meetings with the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso and with Commission Vice President, Margot Wallström, who is responsible within the European Commission for their communications strategy. I also had a bilateral meeting with Jo Leinen MEP, Chair of the European Parliament's Constitutional Affairs Committee, before I addressed a plenary session of that Committee concerning the Lisbon Treaty. My appearance before the Parliament's Constitutional Affairs Committee provided a welcome opportunity to engage in a dialogue with many of the members of that Committee.

In the margins of an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Marseille on 3 November; and the EuroMed meeting in Marseille on 3 — 4 November, I met with Foreign Minister Moratinos of Spain and Foreign Minister Frattini of Italy, both on 3 November. I also availed of the opportunity to have a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Amado of Portugal in Marseille on 4 November.

I will be continuing my bilateral contacts with EU partners over the period ahead. My colleague, the Minister for European Affairs has also been active in meeting with his EU counterparts regarding the Lisbon Treaty and will continue to do so.