Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

That will be another good day in the forum. The sad thing about the constitutional document is that the chairman of the convention insisted on it remaining as it was. A number of us warned that publishing and explaining an enormous document with annexes was fraught with danger, in view of the relatively simple case of explaining the Nice referendum. The French insisted on the framework as the way to do it. One could take all the institutional sections which would maintain the balance of how the constitution was negotiated. One could not take some sections of the document and have these approved but one could leave out the annexes and make progress. This must be examined.

With the addition of Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria, some 28 countries could be EU member states. Other discussions are taking place, including discussions with a lobby group for the accession of the Ukraine, which is inevitable over the next few years. In addition, at least three or four countries in the Balkans will come on to the map over the next three or four years. On the current institutions and qualified majority voting we cannot continue without reform so it is advisable to examine this matter. This will form part of the debate next summer.

Regarding the Seanad, the difficulties in the 1980s still exist and it is a matter for the Seanad to discuss. I am not ruling out consideration of what the MEP from Deputy Kenny's party proposed. How would one define an electorate? I assume the Deputy is referring to the proposal where the Federation of Irish Societies would nominate someone. This could be pursued in discussion. I was involved in these discussions as Whip in the 1980s and it proved impossible to establish a basis of an electorate in the United States and the United Kingdom, without considering the wider Irish diaspora.

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