To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on (a) completion of the Treaty of Lisbon ratification process and (b) implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon by EU member states. (265392)

At the December 2008 European Council, a way forward was agreed on the Lisbon treaty on the basis of proposals from the Irish Government. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made a statement on the European Council to Parliament on 15 December 2008, Official Report, column 813.

There have been no formal discussions at EU level since December. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers regularly meet their EU counterparts to discuss a range of issues including the Treaty of Lisbon.

The Irish Government gave an update on their progress at the Spring European Council on 19-20 March 2009.