Written answers

Wednesday, 5 November 2008

Department of Foreign Affairs

EU Treaties

10:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current or expected position in the event of the ratification by all other European countries except Ireland of the Lisbon treaty of reform; if he is in a position to achieve agreement with his EU colleagues to the effect that Ireland's failure to ratify the treaty will not militate against this country's political, social or economic interest in the future; if dialogue has been entered into in the matter of the forthcoming European election; if the elections can legally and effectively take place in the absence of ratification of the treaty by all member states; if a decision has been reached as to the way to proceed in the event of the failure by two or more countries to ratify the treaty or the ratification thereof by all other member states except Ireland; if this will have particular consequences for Ireland in the short or long term such as the emergence of a two speed Europe; if Ireland will be placed in the first or second such speed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38512/08]

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's position on whether the 2009 EU Parliament elections should be held under the Lisbon treaty rules or the current treaty rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38501/08]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 128 together.

At the October European Council meeting, the Taoiseach delivered a substantive progress report on developments in Ireland with regard to the Lisbon Treaty since the Council last met in June.

The European Council agreed that the Irish Government will continue its consultations and that the Council will discuss this matter again at its December meeting, with a view to defining the elements of a solution and a common path to be followed.

It is clear that the concerns of the Irish people need to be addressed as we seek a solution in the months ahead. At the same time, there is a strong desire among EU partners to see the Treaty ratified. To date 22 Member States have completed their ratification of the Treaty and a further two have completed their parliamentary procedures.

Throughout its 50-year history, the EU has developed a proud record of successfully accommodating the interests of all Member States. On this occasion also, there is great willingness on the part of other Member States to work actively with us in the search for solutions. It is in our interest to arrive at a solution that will secure Ireland's position within the Union and ensure that we can continue to derive maximum benefit from EU membership, including with regard to agriculture, regional policy, the environment and the European single market.

There is no doubt that the prospect of Ireland being the only country unable to ratify the Treaty would put us in a difficult position. It is very likely that this would have consequences in terms of our influence in Brussels. Our standing in the eyes of foreign investors could be affected by any uncertainty surrounding our position within the Union. It is in order to avoid such potentially negative consequences that we must work with our EU partners in order to find an agreed solution.

We are acutely aware that the Member States will want to know soon the basis on which next June's European Parliament elections will be held. This is also an important matter for the European Parliament. It is not possible at this point to set a precise timetable for developments in 2009. The situation is that, if the Lisbon Treaty has not been ratified by all 27 EU Member States in good time before June, the European Parliament elections will be conducted under the existing treaty provisions.

We have always been firmly opposed to any idea of a two-speed Europe and that continues to be the case. The other member States share this view. Such a development would not be good for Ireland nor for the Union as a whole. That is why there is such determination across the Union to arrive at a solution with regard to the Lisbon Treaty that all 27 Member States can endorse.

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