A TECHNICAL draft text for a new EU intergovernmental treaty is expected to be concluded today, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.
The text would go before the political process, the heads of government, at a European Council meeting on January 30th.
“It is only when that process has been decided that I will be in a position to ask the Attorney General for formal legal advice,’’ he added.
If there was a requirement to have a referendum, it would happen, said Mr Kenny.
The process did not mean that discussions on January 30th would conclude on whatever draft was before the heads of government.
Mr Kenny said the Government fully supported the EU’s potential to realise economic growth and, as a consequence, provide opportunities for continued strengthening of exports, deepening of trade links and jobs and career opportunities for young people in Ireland and throughout Europe.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said every time the House met, the Taoiseach dismissed all reports and draft treaties.
“If a draft treaty is online, for the fifth time, why in the name of God can it not be laid before the House,” he added.
Mr Martin accused the Taoiseach of treating the House with contempt in terms of preparations for the treaty.
Mr Kenny said it was beneath Mr Martin to make such a contribution, given that he had served as minister for foreign affairs.
“I will repeat what I said: of course, the drafts of the text have been online, but they are not the final draft,” the Taoiseach added.
“That is being decided by the negotiators from all the member states.’’ Mr Kenny said there could be a Dáil debate about the evolution of each draft, if Mr Martin wished, but that would be irrelevant.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams claimed the Taoiseach was supporting an “austerity treaty’’ which would institutionalise current Government policy. The Dáil picked up “tittle tattle, leaks, spin and media speculation’’ about what was happening, he said.
Mr Adams said the Taoiseach’s stated objective was to retrieve Ireland’s economic sovereignty.
“This treaty is totally at odds with that objective,” said Mr Adams. “The Government must respect the Dáil and the people.” The referendum issue was not about giving legal advice.
“There is a matter of democratic principle here,” he added.
“Regardless of whether this is a constitutional or legal change, it is about enshrining austerity and the Taoiseach, as a democrat, must give the people their say.” Mr Kenny claimed Mr Adams was deliberately confusing the issue, adding that the Government had a policy of having discussions before and after any European Council meetings.
He intended having a pre-council meeting discussion in the House next Tuesday because he would be attending an economic forum on Wednesday and Thursday.
