Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 15: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on having the new referendum on the Lisbon treaty at the same time as the local and European elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5266/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 73: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his proposals for the ratification of the Lisbon treaty with particular reference to the need to maintain Ireland's position as a core participant in the development of the European Union now and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5279/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 149: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he expects the next vote on the Lisbon treaty to be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5480/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 155: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he expects to receive confirmation regarding the issues of concern to the electorate relating to the Lisbon treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5488/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 73, 149 and 155 together.

Ireland's position as a core member of the European Union and the Eurozone have been key elements in attracting foreign investment to Ireland and were therefore fundamental to the extraordinary period of economic growth which Ireland enjoyed up until last year. Today, they are critical to the maintenance of stability and liquidity in our economy and financial system at a time of extraordinary global turmoil.

The rejection of the Lisbon Treaty in last year's referendum has cast doubt about Ireland's European vocation in the minds of the international investment and financial community. This is particularly damaging in the current economic climate. The Government is absolutely convinced that it is in the national interest that these uncertainties be removed.

The Government has taken the concerns of the Irish people with regard to the Lisbon Treaty extremely seriously. We commissioned detailed research into why the Irish people rejected the Treaty last year. We took the results of this research to our EU partners and persuaded them that these concerns had to be addressed in legally binding guarantees before the Irish people could be asked to reconsider their position on the Lisbon Treaty.

Over the period ahead, the Government will be working with our EU partners and the EU institutions, to give legal form to the decisions taken by the European Council in December. These include the right of each Member State to nominate a Commissioner and guarantees of Ireland's right to take its own decisions and make its own laws in relation to taxation, defence and certain provisions of our Constitution in relation to the right to life, education and family. The European Council also agreed to confirm the high importance the EU attaches to issues including workers' rights and social services.

These elements, when finalised, will represent a comprehensive package of measures specifically designed to address the key concerns of the Irish electorate in relation to the Lisbon Treaty.

The conclusions of the December European Council state that work on the guarantees should be concluded no later than mid-2009. If the Government are fully satisfied with the outcome of this work, we will seek ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, by way of a further referendum, before the end of the term of the current Commission, which is due to leave office at the end of October.

No decision can be taken on the timing of any referendum until the commitments made by the European Council have been delivered upon to our full satisfaction.

Let there be no doubt that the Government will spare no effort in ensuring that the concerns of the Irish people in regard to the Lisbon Treaty are fully addressed. Our aim is to provide a basis for the people to be asked to approve the Lisbon Treaty and thereby remove any doubt about our position at the heart of the European Union. I believe such a decision to be vital for the wellbeing of our economy, for the future of Europe and for the sake of our children and future generations.