Tánaiste says no legislation on Lisbon planned

NO LEGISLATION linked to the Lisbon Treaty is planned “at this moment in time”, according to Tánaiste Mary Coughlan.

As the Taoiseach was criticised in the Dáil for delays in briefing the Opposition in advance of “briefing every leader in Europe” about Government plans, Ms Coughlan said Brian Cowen would brief Opposition leaders next Wednesday.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny asked if the Government planned legislation to allow for a second referendum on the treaty.

He was concerned Mr Cowen “has briefed or is in the process of briefing every leader in Europe on the Government intentions with regard to the treaty. There is little point in coming to leaders of the Opposition the day before he goes off to speak to the heads of governments about his intentions at the council meeting.” Ms Coughlan said she had spoken to the Taoiseach on the issue. “He will provide a briefing on Wednesday to the members opposite.”

She added: “At this moment in time there are no proposals for legislation arising from the Lisbon Treaty.” Mr Kenny asked: “Am I to take it from that reply that the Government does not intend to hold a second referendum?”

Ms Coughlan said: “There has been no final decision made on legislation. Therefore there are no proposals before the House regarding legislation arising from the discussions of the subcommittee,” a reference to the Oireachtas subcommittee on European Affairs which issued a report on aspects of the Lisbon Treaty.

She added that “discussions will take place on Tuesday and there will be further consultation and discussions regarding the outcome of the Lisbon Treaty referendum”.

Pressing the issue, the Fine Gael leader said “the Tánaiste and the Government have been speaking about elements of a solution in respect of Lisbon. Is one element of the aforementioned solution the holding of a second referendum or not?”

The Tánaiste reiterated that there is “no legislation proposed at present to deal with the issues that have arisen from the referendum on Lisbon”.