Lisbon Treaty deal is 'major step', says Cowen

The Taoiseach has described the outcome of last week’s European Council meeting as a “very major step towards delivering the way forward” on the Lisbon Treaty.

Addressing the Dáil this morning, Brian Cowen said that in advance of the meeting, he made a number of visits to European capitals to discuss Ireland’s approach and spoke with European Council colleagues “to once again outline our concerns and explain the nature of the response which we felt was required”.

Summarising his address to the council at the summit, Mr Cowen said: “I made clear that the concerns of the Irish people as expressed in the context of the referendum had to be reflected in any solution.

“I said that while some of these fears and concerns were misplaced or based on misapprehension or misinformation, that did not take from the fact that they were sincerely held and require a respectful response.”

Mr Cowen said on the basis of agreement reached on elements of the treaty, and on condition of appropriate guarantees being in place, “I said that I would be prepared to return to the public to put a new package and to seek their approval of it This is a very significant outcome.

“The agreement represents the culmination of intensive and highly complex negotiations. I know that there are many who had hoped for a more robust deal. Ireland had supported the Presidency and the Commission in pushing for a package that was stronger than that finally agreed,” he said.

“But we must recognise that compromise was necessary."

Mr Cowen noted a number of member states were "strongly opposed" to Ireland retaining a commissioner if it passed the Lisbon Treaty. "However, they ultimately accepted that this change is required."

The Taoiseach told the Dáil the success of the council meeting was thanks to the "excellent" French presidency of the EU.

"France deployed its own highly successful mix of pragmatism, determination and dynamism. . . I must single out the particularly effective role played by President Nicolas Sarkozy. . . we are indebted to him for the leadership and assistance he has provided for Europe."

The Taoiseach said he believed Ireland's future must be within Europe. "Within Europe, we must be close to the centre, and not at the margins or with some semi-detached status. This has been the approach of Irish governments of various hues for over 35 years and it has served our country well."

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny called on the Government to appoint a new EU Commissioner soon to secure influence in Brussels.

Internal markets commissioner Charlie McCreevy is due to end his five-year term next year but the Taoiseach said no decision has yet been made on his successor.

EU leaders at last week’s European Council summit agreed that Ireland can retain its commissioner if voters ratify a re-run of the Lisbon Treaty referendum next year.

Mr Kenny told the Dáil: “This country’s reputation has been somewhat damaged in the past 12 months and I think it would be very important that an early and strong nomination would be made in order to secure a priority commissionership.”

The Fine Gael leader asked if Mr Cowen was turning his thoughts to the early nomination of a commissioner - assuming that voters endorse the Lisbon Treaty in a referendum.

But the Taoiseach replied: “No, I haven’t been tuning my mind to the issue of the next commissioner.”

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said although progress was made Brussels, “this is by no means a done deal”.

“What has been agreed is a carefully constructed formula, which, under certain conditions, should lead to a second referendum. But it is not certain. If we learned anything from the last outing, it is the importance of reading the small print.”

Mr Gilmore said he did not know what guarantee relating to “the provisions of the Irish Constitution in relation to the right to life, education and the family” meant.

He also expressed concerns over workers’ rights. “These issues must be satisfactorily addressed before the holding of another referendum,” he said.

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said any re-run of the Lisbon referendum would be a “denial of democracy”.

“The arrogant approach of the Government over the last six months shows a complete lack of respect for both the democratic institutions of the State and the democratic will of the people.”

“The deal struck will not address the substantive issues raised by the electorate time and time again before and after the Lisbon referendum,” the Sinn Féin TD said.