Ahead of the European Council of the 11 and 12 December, MEPs debated the three key topics, namely, the climate change and energy package, the response to the economic crisis and progress on the Lisbon Strategy. Most group speakers agreed the need for a deal on the climate change package and supported the Commission's proposals on the economic crisis. Besides, some of the smaller groups asked for the Lisbon Treaty to be forgotten given the No vote in Ireland last June.

Commission President José Manuel Barroso focussed his comments on three priorities for the forthcoming summit: to enact decisive measures towards economic recovery, to show Europe will be able to equip itself to become low carbon economy giving leadership in fighting climate change, and to set out a road map to ratification for the Treaty of Lisbon.
 
The Commission's proposal on the economy was to inject 200 billion euro to get economy moving again via unprecedented joint action. In Mr. Barroso's words, “it is a plan which is not the lowest common denominator, but which does take account of the different budgetary situations of the Member States". It was a matter of defining common goals to be attained jointly. There would need to be coordination in the implementation of the plan as well as in drawing it up. Mr. Barroso also called for a change to the EU budgetary framework to allow unspent appropriations to pay for environmentally friendly energy projects.

As to the economic crisis, Minister Jouyet said that the EU had already responded by bringing forward proposals. The European Commission he said was on the right track. The European Social Fund, the Globalisation Fund, structural funds and the European Investment Bank would all be crucial in finding a response. It would also be essential funding for SMEs who bore much of the economic crisis.

For the PES group, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen (DK) said that that 21 million will be unemployed in one year's time, and 25 million will be unemployed by 2010 "unless we do something", and stressed the importance of "true co-ordination" in tackling the current financial difficulties.

Responding to the leading group speakers on this issue, Mr. Barroso welcomed support for the economic recovery plan and agreed with Mr Rasmussen that employment was a key issue: indeed, it would be the main measure of the success of the steps taken.

On climate change, Parliament had, in the Commission's opinion, helped to show it to be one of the major political, economic and civilisational issues at this time. Despite the downturn, the EU had not wavered in its commitment to core 20-20-20 goal for 2020. The European Council would be crucial to reaching an agreement on climate change legislation but Parliament's role was vital too.  As well as its democratic input, Parliament was indispensable in building the necessary cross-party and cross-border consensus.

On the energy and climate change package, Minister Jouyet underlined the importance of reaching deal under the French Presidency in order to be ready for the negotiations in Copenhagen.

Regarding the climate package, MEP Graham Watson (ALDE, UK) said that “if we don't tackle climate change now," "the bill will balloon". "Last week's CO2 deal on cars show how easy it is to take the path of least resistance, to let vested interests get ahead of global interests," he said.
 
He also stressed the importance of cohesion between member states, stating that the Mumbai terrorist attacks highlighted the failure of the EU when an EU Consul told Members of Parliament that he could only help citizens of his own country.

Lisbon Treaty

Regarding the Lisbon Treaty, Andrew Duff (ALDE, UK) said he believed that we are making some progress at last. The Czech Court and the Irish Parliament have comprehensively and decisively blunted the attack upon the Treaty from the nationalist and reactionary forces. It is now up to the Czech Parliament and the Irish Government, he said, to take the next decisive steps. "We need a clear pledge from the Taoiseach that he is to hold a second referendum at a specific time and we need a more professional campaign plan. The Parliament here appeals to the profound generosity of the Irish people and to their sharp intelligence to see the seriousness of the consequences of a second 'no'."
 
While there is an overwhelming desire in Ireland to remain at the heart of European affairs, now more important than ever in the current economic climate, Proinsias de Rossa (PES, IE) stressed that Irish citizens, however, need assurances that the misleading claims on Lisbon by the 'no' camp on the Commission, on abortion, on conscription, on military neutrality, no workers' rights and public services have no basis in fact. The right of all Member States to nominate a Commissioner without restriction is also important and he felt that a simple extension of that right from 2014 to 2019 will not be sufficient to ensure ratification in Ireland. In addition, a commitment to add a social clause on labour rights to the posting of workers directive. Mr De Rossa urged the Council and the Commission to address these matters urgently at the coming summit.

On the Lisbon Treaty, Minister Jouyet recalled that Ireland had just gone through a cross-party exercise of finding a way forward and whose conclusions were: Ireland must not be sidelined in Europe, full participation of Ireland in the EU is desirable and it was for Ireland to come forward with a solution taking into account the concerns expressed on 12 June in the referendum.  Mr Jouyet recalled that 25 parliaments had ratified the Lisbon Treaty and the European Council would draw up a "road map" on the way forward.

About this issue, Avril Doyle (EPP-ED, IE)  said, "yes we have had time to digest and analyse the 12 June vote, but no, Minister Jouyet, we will not – and should not even attempt – to  ratify again at the beginning of next year, or we risk failure again with our deeply unpopular government."  She expressed her thanks to the French Presidency's offer of all assistance with legal guarantees and any assurances that may be required.

Mr. Barroso argued that although "some would argue in this economic downturn, the Lisbon treaty discussion is a distraction - they are wrong."  The crisis had shown the EU to be essential in helping to ensure the welfare of its citizens. This was, he said, the time to make its tools to achieve this more effective and efficient. The EU had, he said, shown maturity in respecting Irish vote and taking time, working together with Ireland to find way forward which also respected the positive ratification decisions in other Member States It was now urgent to see treaty in force: "I hope next week we will have a road map to allowing Ireland to ratify too."