Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline his position regarding proposals for further changes to the EU treaties. [40255/12]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has concerns regarding a two tier Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42651/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 144 together.

At the request of the European Council, President Van Rompuy is currently examining how to strengthen Economic and Monetary Union and will bring forward a final report in this regard before the end of the year.

In this, he will explore what is possible within the current Treaty framework, and whether any proposed steps would require Treaty change in the future.

Ireland's position is the same as that of the great majority of Member States that wish to see the Union make the maximum possible use of the wide range of instruments available to it, including those, such as the Treaty on Stability Coordination and Governance on which agreement has been reached but which have yet to enter into force.

As President Barroso recently told the European Parliament in his 'State of the Union' address, "Discussions on treaty change must not distract or delay us from doing what can and must be done already today."

The Government believes strongly that any new arrangements, including those adopted under the existing Treaties, must avoid fragmentation of the Union and must maintain the integrity of the Single Market. While in a larger Union there will be sometimes be areas in which some Member States, including those who share a currency, will wish to go further together, this must not infringe these key principles.