MINISTER FOR Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has played down possible difficulties with other European Union member states over the legally-binding guarantees sought by the Government on the Lisbon Treaty.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Joint Committee on European Affairs at Leinster House, the Minister pointed out that the guarantees would not require reratification of the treaty by parliaments of the other member states.
He acknowledged that some member states wanted greater clarification and others had “domestic issues”, but he was confident these could be overcome.
Earlier, Mr Martin told the committee that other member states were “supportive of the approach being taken – that is, to flesh out the substance of the guarantees promised to Ireland at the December European Council in relation to taxation, defence, the provisions of the Constitution on right to life, education and family and the solemn declaration on workers’ rights”.
The Minister added: “This, of course, will be in addition to the agreement we reached in December, that each member state will retain a commissioner in the event that the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force.
“Detailed and intensive work is taking place in Brussels at official level. I myself have engaged with a number of colleagues on the matter, in face-to-face meetings and by telephone.”
Looking ahead to the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels, he said: “We do not anticipate that the meeting on next Monday and Tuesday will engage in a lengthy discussion of the legal guarantees or the outcome of the European Council, as negotiations will be ongoing at both official and political level.”
What the Minister called “political sign-off” on the guarantees would take place at the European Council, the regular EU summit meeting which is scheduled for next Thursday and Friday in Brussels.
“Member states are being as helpful as possible to us, but at this stage it is about finding a balance between the legal guarantees that we require to meet the concerns of the Irish people and respecting the already-completed ratification procedures of other member states.
“With the exception of taxation, our guarantees will be Ireland-specific.
“We have to be careful that in getting what we want we do not upset procedures for others. We have made clear, however, that these guarantees will form a key part of any package that is put to the people in another referendum.
“We are confident of a successful outcome at the June council, one which promotes both the interests of Ireland and of Europe.
“The results of the European elections have shown that Irish people want us to move forward and to remain at the heart of Europe.
“Parties opposed to the treaty have no mandate to continue working against the best interests of this country.
“One year on, there is still no sign of their much-heralded ‘plan B’. The ‘Back to the Future’ slogans didn’t work. Our future is firmly at the heart of the European Union; we are working to secure this,” Mr Martin said.
Commenting on discussions taking place at Government level with Fianna Fáil on the defence aspect of the Lisbon guarantees, a Green Party spokesman said they were progressing satisfactorily, “but some important details remain to be concluded.”
Looking ahead to the annual meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council in Brussels on Monday, the Minister said the proposed upgrade of relations with Israel, “can only realistically take place in the context of overall developments in the peace process”.