Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 766: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contingency plans in the event of failure to ratify the Lisbon treaty here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2409/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 767: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is intended to form formal, political, social, cultural and economic links with other non-EU countries or the US in the event of ultimate failure to ratify the Lisbon treaty here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2410/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 770: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps or arrangements he is expected to make to ensure the ratification of the Lisbon treaty at the next referendum or failing that, his plans to enter into economic, social, cultural and political agreements with other non-EU countries; if it is intended to remain in the eurozone or reintroduce the punt and realignment with sterling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2413/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 771: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will confirm that it is not intended to seek membership of the Commonwealth in the event of failure to ratify the Lisbon treaty in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2414/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 775: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when it is expected to hold the promised referendum on the Lisbon treaty; if this is likely to be in conjunction with the European or local elections or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2426/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 776: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when it is expected that all other European Union countries except Ireland will approve the Lisbon treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2428/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 766, 767, 770, 771, 775 and 776 together.

The December meeting of the European Council agreed that the concerns of the Irish people regarding the Lisbon Treaty, as set out by the Taoiseach, "shall be addressed to the mutual satisfaction of Ireland and other Member States". Specifically, the European Council agreed that, provided the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force, each Member State will continue to have the right to nominate a Commissioner. It agreed that legal guarantees will be given to Ireland in the areas of taxation, defence and certain sensitive issues covered by our Constitution, namely the right to life, education and family. It also agreed that the high importance the EU attaches to issues including workers' rights and social services will be confirmed. This represents a very clear and a very positive response to the concerns expressed by the Irish people during our referendum campaign.

Much detailed work will now be done in taking these commitments forward, especially in preparing the form and content of the legal guarantees. The Government has said that if, and only if, it is satisfied with the outcome of this work, it will seek ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon by the end of the term of the current Commission, which is expected to leave office at the end of October.

In the months ahead, the Government will be working domestically, with our EU partners and with the EU institutions to give effect to these commitments. We will be aiming to conclude this work no later than mid-2009. We will not be taking any decision on the holding of a second referendum, including on its timing, until the concerns of the Irish people have been addressed to our full satisfaction, and it is therefore pointless to speculate about what might happen after a possible future referendum. It is a matter of national priority to secure Ireland's future at the heart of the European Union where our interests can best be served.

At this stage, 23 of our EU partners have ratified the Lisbon Treaty and a further two Member States have substantially ratified the Treaty. We respect the right of all Member States to proceed with their national ratification procedures, in accordance with their own constitutional traditions.