Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I will give my views and those expressed by leaders in other member states. All participants at the European Council agreed the constitution remains a valid response to the concerns of citizens and the best available compromise. We have given ourselves time to reflect on this difficult situation. Some 13 or 14 countries have now ratified the constitution, comprising a majority of member states. At least three or four more will complete a parliamentary ratification process before Christmas, meaning a total of 16 or 17 states will have ratified the draft constitution by the end of the year.

The declaration passed at the last Council recognises the different situations and circumstances in the various member states. The particular situation of those scheduled to hold referenda was explicitly recognised by the president of the European Council in his statement after that meeting. There is a clear understanding of the need for an EU-wide period of reflection which will continue through the remaining period of the British Presidency and on through the Austrian Presidency, before a decision is made on how to proceed in June of next year.

There have been issues in France where various senior politicians have made conflicting statements about what will happen in the future. The official line, however, is that the constitution was rejected and that a second referendum will not be held. This stance is unlikely to change until after that country's 2007 presidential election. Some of the contenders for that election have already stated their positions in regard to the constitution. The Dutch Government has said it will not hold another referendum and the general view is that it will need time to make any decisions in this regard. My assessment is that nothing will happen in the short term at EU level. The British Government, which is not comfortable with holding a referendum on this issue, will not force the issue during its Presidency. It will be next summer before any progress is made.

We in Ireland should continue with the debate. The Government has made the constitution text available through numerous outlets. We have already distributed the explanatory information and a detailed document is currently being printed and will be issued very shortly. The National Forum on Europe will continue. A range of people is involved in debating and engaging with these issues, not only through the forum but through various other organisations. Members of all parties have attended such conferences and seminars. We should continue to engage in this way in the coming months.

The debate should continue regardless of whether the constitution in its current form is revived. During the discussions on the draft treaty, there was a lengthy debate as to whether member states should ratify the entire document or particular sections. Some, including the French, were insistent that we should proceed with such a bulky document. I would have been satisfied to omit some of the appendices because they made what should have been a short document grow to 480 pages. The insistence of some members in this regard made it necessary to concede in order to reach a compromise. However, I contend that one could take Parts 1 and 2, which are the reforming parts, and move ahead with that. It would not be feasible to try to reform the entire document because it is based on checks and balances. There are some who would like to push ahead with some elements while removing some of the protections for smaller member states. There is a huge danger in that. I certainly would not support that and I do not think anyone in the House would support it because it would be dangerous for small countries. Regarding the Deputy's question, which is fair, they could move ahead with the early parts. If they do not decide to move by 2007 that issue should be examined subsequently. To be frank, I think that is what will happen.

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