Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

There is no reason for this widespread concern as there is no proposal to have a military superstate in the European Union. With regard to the nuclear situation, we are no closer to any nuclear power in Europe today than we were in 1972 when our people ratified our membership of the European Union, which included the EURATOM Treaty. That treaty has not been amended since. It is part of the European constitution, it has been in existence since the 1950s and still stands without change.

It is alarming to talk about a military superpower. The Deputy referred to what ambassador John Bruton said about the European constitution. It is not for me to interpret what he said but the basic meaning is that once the European Union has ratified its constitution, it will be in a better position to make a contribution to conflict resolution, reducing poverty and assisting crisis management in various parts of the world, whether in cross-border situations vis-À-vis drugs, trafficking in humans or whatever. It will balance the contribution of the United States and ensure that it is not a lone power making a contribution in this field.

As a result of the new constitution which will be ratified in due course, the European Union will be in a better position to make a more professional, focused and quicker contribution to conflict resolution and the resolution of other tragedies that have bedevilled mankind for centuries. In the past, people stood idly by and were not able to do anything, even within Europe. We have a moral and political responsibility to ensure we do not stand idly by in the future and allow innocent people be the victims of such situations.

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