Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the constitutional referenda he will hold during the remainder of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15533/09]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the constitutional referenda the Government plans to hold during the remainder of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15592/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together. At its meeting last December, the European Council promised to address the concerns of the Irish people on the Treaty of Lisbon by way of legal guarantees and other assurances.

On the basis of its full satisfaction with the outcome of this work, which is due to be finalised by mid-2009, the Government committed itself to seeking ratification of the Treaty by the end of the term of the current European Commission, which is expected to leave office at the end of October. For Ireland to be in a position to ratify the Treaty, the approval of the people will be necessary in a referendum.