Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 January 2012
50 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has been in contact with EU partners in relation to whether Ireland will need to have a referendum on the EU fiscal compact. [3721/12]
View answer51 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to bring forward legislation to allow for the holding of a referendum on the new EU fiscal compact. [3722/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together.
Work is progressing rapidly on the Intergovernmental Treaty to give effect to the political agreement reached in December on a new "Fiscal Compact". The Government has been working intensively, at the negotiating table, in Brussels, and in capitals, to make sure that our key points are understood and addressed appropriately. To that end we have offered our views both orally and in writing, including on the detailed elements of the text. Senior Irish officials have been very active in meeting their counterparts, and we have sought to secure the support of all potential allies on issues of importance to us. We will continue to do this as the process evolves.
At the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 23 January, I met with my counterparts from Austria, Portugal, Luxembourg, Finland and the Netherlands to explain and seek support for Irish positions on the new Treaty. In all of my discussions I have made it clear that once a final text is available the Government will seek the formal view of the Attorney General on what will be required to allow Ireland to ratify the Treaty. Only then will we know if a referendum will be required.
The test will be whether the proposed Treaty is compatible with the Constitution. As the Government has confirmed previously, the Attorney General will study the legal implications carefully, and will advise on what steps will be necessary to enable Ireland to ratify. Until then it is simply not possible to be definitive. The Government has made it clear previously, if a referendum is required, one will be held. The Oireachtas will be fully involved in the ratification process, as appropriate, including in the preparation of any relevant legislation.
