EU fundamental for Ireland, says Cowen

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said the EU is fundamental to the economic and social development of Ireland.

He said specific issues which arose during the Lisbon Treaty referendum must be addressed.

Mr Cowen said he hopes to be able to outline the elements of a solution next month.

'There are specific issues ... in relation to the Lisbon Treaty that I must continue to discuss with colleagues,' Mr Cowen said after a luncheon with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt in Stockholm.

'I hope that we can, in December, be able to outline the elements of a solution,' he added.

'We must work more intensively now, and will be doing so over the coming days, to see in what way we can bring that (a solution) about.'

He said speculation about what is involved in any possible solution is not helpful.

Asked about the retention of Ireland's EU Commissioner, the Taoiseach said no one particular issue can be isolated as being more important than another.

He said the institutions of Europe need to be strong and provide solutions to problems as quickly as possible.

Mr Cowen said the ratification of the Treaty is a problem for all states in the EU, adding that only by working together can the problems with Lisbon be addressed.

Cowen meets Finnish, Swedish PMs

He said the European Central Bank had been critical in Ireland dealing with the recent financial crisis.

Mr Cowen said people now realise how fundamental the EU is to Ireland's progress and development.

The assistance and the reserves of the ECB has been very important in recent weeks, according to Mr Cowen.

Swedish Prime Minister Mr Reinfeldt said the meeting was important and the Swedish people understood the difficulties with the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland.

Mr Reinfeldt said he hopes Ireland and Sweden would continue close dialogue between now and when the country assumes the EU Presidency next July.

Earlier today, Mr Cowen met the President of Finland Tarja Halonen.

Mr Cowen said the meetings were part of a process of engagement with EU political leaders; a process which, he said, was intensifying.

He met the Finnish Prime Minister last night.

Matti Vanhanen told him that people understood Ireland needed time on the Lisbon issue.

But he said whatever solution is found, it should not force other European countries to return to ratification of a different or amended treaty.

Mr Cowen said the Irish situation was a dilemma and a challenge for everyone, adding that the Government would study an Oireachtas report on the issue before deciding a future direction.

Consultation and discussion with other European countries was vital, he said.