Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

Ireland continues to take a lead role on the proposed constitution. We have taken the consistent position at every forum and meeting, including the General Affairs and other Council meetings and COREPER, that we are totally committed to the constitution as it stands, the manner in which it was negotiated, the conclusions arrived at and the procedures in place for its ratification. It is important to recognise that 15 member states have ratified the proposed constitution, with a 16th, Finland, on the verge of ratification. We must reach the magic figure of 20 as this would allow matters to proceed.

I note Deputy Gormley has rejoined proceedings. He was part of the convention process which agreed the mechanism under which ratification of the proposed constitution by four fifths of EU member states would prompt a process whereby the European Council would reflect on how final agreement on ratification would be reached.

Ireland will continue to work assiduously at domestic level and across Europe to ensure we can collectively establish the constitution as the new structure required to sustain the European Union and the European project. We regard it as the only efficient mechanism to achieve a consensual structure within which all member states are equal, opportunities are greatest and efficiency is maximised. I was privileged to attend last week's European Council meeting, at which it became clear that not one Government leader, Minister for Foreign Affairs or European Affairs or high level national representative opposes ratification of the constitution. Everybody took a positive attitude in achieving an ultimate conclusion. There is no sense in the best political brains in the European Union working together to reach an agreement on a constitution if we change track two thirds of the way through the process. Obviously, account must be taken of France and the Netherlands, but I am confident that when we reach the magic figure of four fifths, we will be able to find a way to ratify the document so that it becomes the basis for Europe's future.

The European Council issued a declaration on the western Balkans which reiterated the EU's pledge to continue its engagement with the countries of the region through the stabilisation and association process. Ireland supports the European aspirations of the countries of the region, including eventual EU membership, and is committed to the European neighbourhood policy and the stabilisation and association process. The EU plays a critical role in global affairs by contributing to democracy and economic sustainability, providing opportunities for adjoining countries and supporting human rights. The EU stands as a beacon to the world in terms of the democratic leadership and the monetary and human resources it has given to the countries along its borders to assist them in reaching high democratic and economic standards. We can be proud to have contributed to those efforts.

Taking into account the absorption capacity and leadership of the EU, I am confident that each member state can commit further resources to maintaining economic growth and can create opportunities for the EU to evolve and expand in the future. These are big decisions which must be made in a measured and careful manner but I am confident that the entire Balkans region will benefit from this process.

A specific action plan to deal with human trafficking was approved by the European Council in December 2005. The action plan covers a wide range of areas, including the co-ordination of EU action, prevention of trafficking and the investigation and prosecution of offences linked to trafficking. Implementation of the action plan has been actively pursued within the Justice and Home Affairs Council and a set of conclusions were adopted at its meeting of 27-28 April which will contribute to the development and strengthening of the plan. The Council confirmed that Europol, Eurojust and the police chiefs task force must become actively involved in the fight against human trafficking.

As regards Deputy Durkan's question on communications mechanisms, it is critically important in this era of instant communication that controls are put in place. There is an onus on all of us in this respect because there have been instances in which people have sent false messages by text to media organisations to distort reality or frighten people. Technology is advancing so rapidly and impacting so greatly that it presents us with significant challenges. However, I am confident that the EU will be able to set the parameters on this matter.

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