Roche: Critical EU agrees deal on Lisbon assurances

The Minister for Europe Dick Roche has said it's critical that all EU member states reach an agreement on any doubts about the Lisbon Treaty at a summit being held later this week.

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen and other EU leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday and Friday where it's expected the final text of the agreements will be signed off.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has been holding talks with his EU counterparts in Luxembourg today.

He said steady progress was made at the negotiations which are aimed at finalising legal guarantees which Ireland is requesting.

Minister Roche says the sooner Ireland is in a position to reap the benefits of the Lisbon Treaty, the better.