The decision authorising enhanced cooperation shall be adopted by the Council as a last resort, when it has established that the objectives of such cooperation cannot be attained within a reasonable period by the Union as a whole, and provided that at least nine Member States participate in it.
Déanfaidh an Chomhairle an cinneadh lena n-údarófar an comhar feabhsaithe a ghlacadh mar rogha dheireanach nuair a bheidh sé suite aici nach bhféadfaidh an tAontas ina iomláine cuspóirí an chomhair sin a bhaint amach laistigh de thréimhse réasúnta, agus ar choinníoll go mbeidh naoi gcinn ar a laghad den a Ballstáit rannpháirteach ann.