Reference for a preliminary ruling from Supreme Court (Ireland) made on 3 August 2012 - Thomas Pringle v Government of Ireland, Ireland and the Attorney General

(Case C-370/12)

Language of the case: English

Referring court

Supreme Court

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Thomas Pringle

Defendant: Government of Ireland, Ireland and the Attorney General

Questions referred

(1)    Whether European Council Decision 2011/199/EU of 25th March 2011 is valid:

Having regard to the use of the simplified revision procedure pursuant to Article 48(6) TEU and, in particular, whether the proposed amendment to Article 136 TFEU involved an increase in the competences conferred on the Union in the Treaties;

Having regard to the content of the proposed amendment, in particular whether it involves any violation of the Treaties or of the general principles of law of the Union.

(2)    Having regard to

Articles 2 and 3 TEU and the provisions of Part Three, Title VIII TFEU, and in particular Articles 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 125, 126, and 127 TFEU;

the exclusive competence of the Union in monetary policy as set out in Article 3(1)(c) TFEU and in concluding international agreements falling within the scope of Article 3(2) TFEU;

the competence of the Union in coordinating economic policy, in accordance with Article 2(3) TFEU and Part Three, Title VIII TFEU;

the powers and functions of Union Institutions pursuant to principles set out in Article l3 TEU;

the principle of sincere cooperation laid down in Article 4(3) TEU;

the general principles of Union law including in particular the general principle of effective judicial protection and the right to an effective remedy as provided under Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the general principle of legal certainty;

is a Member State of the European Union whose currency is the euro entitled to enter into and ratify an international agreement such as the ESM Treaty?

(3)    If the European Council Decision is held valid, is the entitlement of a Member     State to enter into and ratify an international agreement such as the ESM Treaty     subject to the entry into force of that Decision?

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¹ - European Council Decision of 25 March 2011 amending Article 136 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union with regard to a stability mechanism for Member States whose currency is the euroOJ L 91, p. 1