Written answers

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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131. To ask the Taoiseach if the provisions of Lisbon treaty will reduce Ireland’s voting power in the European Union from 1 November; the reason this significant change is not being highlighted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41440/14]

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Lisbon Treaty, which came into effect on 1 December 2009, was the product of prolonged and intensive negotiations between the Member States of the Union and was approved by the Irish people in October 2009.

Among other provisions, the Treaty introduced new voting rules for taking decisions in the Council. These are set out in Article 238 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. The revised system of qualified majority voting (QMV), which came into effect on 1 November, requires a double majority, that is, a majority of at least 55% of the number of member states (currently at least 15 Member States), and also of at least 65% of the total population of the Union. It is also provided, in effect, that a blocking minority must consist of at least 4 Member States.

These arrangements were extensively debated in the European Convention of 2002-2003 and were agreed during Ireland’s EU Presidency of 2004. The aim of introducing the double majority voting rule was to make decision making in the Union simpler and more efficient and effective. It was also believed that it better reflected the dual nature of the Union as a Union of States and of peoples.

I am satisfied that Ireland’s capacity to safeguard our interests within the EU will not be materially affected by the move to double majority voting. The new system offers clarity and improves the overall efficiency of decision making. It is important to note that while the provisions on population tend to favour larger member states, the requirement regarding a majority of member states are to the benefit of the smaller states. It ensures that decisions in the EU cannot be taken unless they command genuine support from a majority of member states representing a significant majority of the EU’s population.

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