§ 14. Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he has had with ministerial counterparts from the Republic of Ireland to discuss the Nice treaty; and if he will make a statement. [1554]
§ Mr. StrawI met my ministerial counterparts from the Republic of Ireland at the 11 and 25 June General Affairs Council and at the Gothenburg European Council.
As I explained to the House last week, member states have expressed their readiness to help the Irish Government find a way forward, taking into account the concerns reflected by the result of the 7 June referendum, without reopening the text of the Nice treaty.
§ 20. Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Irish counterpart regarding the treaty of Nice. [1520]
§ Peter HainI refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis), UIN 1554.