Cabinet Approves Proposed Twenty-Eighth Amendment

"This Amendment Bill is an important step in the process that will see the Irish people passing judgment on the Reform Treaty and on Ireland's role in the E.U." the Minister said. 

He continued: "The proposed legislation reflects principles which the Irish people hold dear and which the Government views as vital for Ireland.

First, the Bill maintains the Constitutional prohibition on Irish participation in an E.U. common defence.  This prohibition will remain, in plain black and white, for all to see.  Those who may continue to argue that the Treaty will somehow undermine Irish neutrality are badly mistaken.  The Bill makes it completely clear that we cannot join an E.U. common defence.

Second, the Bill provides for the Houses of the Oireachtas to play their full role in E.U. business.  By ratifying the Reform Treaty, we will mandate the Houses of the Oireachtas, like other national parliaments, to play an enhanced role in EU law-making.  The Bill will also go beyond the requirements of the Treaty by providing for the Houses of the Oireachtas to give prior approval to Irish involvement in certain areas of EU activity.