text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Lisbon Treaty - Third Reading
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The majority Aye voters successfully carried the motion[1] for the [http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2007-08/europeanunionamendment.html European Union (Amendment) Bill] to be given its [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_reading Third Reading]. This is a crucial stage in the passage of a Bill through the Commons as it is when approval is given to all amendments and to the Bill itself. After this stage, the Bill can be presented to the Lords. 
  
  The European Union (Amendment) Bill implements the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Lisbon Lisbon Treaty] into UK law. The main aims of the Lisbon Treaty were to[2]:
  
  * Streamline EU institutions
  * Establish a permanent President of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Council European Council] (as of 16 March 2010 held by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_Van_Rompuy Herman Van Rompuy])
  * Establish the post of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Representative_of_the_Union_for_Foreign_Affairs_and_Security_Policy High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy] (as of 16 March 2010 held by Catherine Ashton)
  * Give new powers to the EU over justice and home affairs
  * Remove the national veto in some areas such as energy security and emergency aid 
  
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  * [1] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2008-03-11c.152.2 David Miliband MP], House of Commons, 11 March 2008
  * [2] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6901353.stm BBC News Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty], 5 February 2010
  
  
  
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  