Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 80: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether a referendum will be necessary to facilitate the type of treaty change he is discussing with other EU leaders. [35755/11]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 81: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has engaged in with other EU leaders in relation to the possibility of changes to the EU treaties. [35754/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 81 together.

At their meetings in October, the Heads of State or Government of the Euro Area agreed to reflect on further strengthening of economic convergence within the Euro Area, on improving fiscal discipline and on deepening economic union. They asked President Van Rompuy, in close co-operation with the President of the Commission and the President of the Eurogroup, to identify possible steps to this end, including exploring the possibility of limited Treaty change. A process of bilateral consultation at official level is under way. President Van Rompuy will present an interim report on his work to the European Council on 9 December. Senior Irish officials are actively participating in this process. The Government looks forward to receiving the report and giving it careful consideration. In all its contacts with its European colleagues, the Government has set out its position on Treaty change, as has been elaborated in the House on many occasions. Given the potential length and uncertainty of the process of change which is provided for in the Treaties, we do not believe it can address the immediate crisis we face. There is a great deal that can be done within the framework of the existing Treaties and that should be our immediate focus. Obviously, other Member States take a different view. The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, set out her strong view that Treaty change is required when she met with the Taoiseach in Berlin on 16 November. The Taoiseach, the Minister of State for European Affairs and I will continue to engage proactively with our EU partners on this and every other issue where Ireland's interests are at stake. It is not possible to say whether a referendum will be required should any changes to the Treaties emerge from the process that is under way. As has been the case in the past, at the appropriate time the Government will seek the advice of the Attorney General on whether the proposed change is compatible with the Constitution, and will act accordingly.