Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

On the first issue about the UN involvement, all these matters must be watched carefully. I know, from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, that there has been regular discussions at the foreign affairs meetings about much of the activities and the UN involvement in them.

On the European Constitution, I had the opportunity of speaking to the Finnish Prime Minister who took over the European Presidency the other day. Having analysed their own positions, more countries are firming up their support for the European Constitution and it is in a stronger position than it was a year ago. Chancellor Angela Merkel and others are probably part of that reason. Finland will ratify, which will bring it to 16 countries. Another one will probably do so. Others are committed to do it as well. The British position was always that they would do it if everybody else did and that they would put the effort into it.

What will happen now is that people will wait. The Dutch situation could improve the position of the European Constitution. Regardless of whether it will, that is the generally held view. How the French deal with it will probably be the crucial factor. Will they try to seek to amend it, which a year on people realise will be much more difficult than some thought? Recently I noted that some are changing their positions, even from what they stated six months ago. They realise that cherry picking will not work. We will just have to wait for what happens next summer regarding the French position.

It will come back to the ratification of the European Constitution in some slightly amended format. There is no support, as Deputy Kenny will know from his own group, for opening up a convention. If the Dutch or the French need an annexe, change, clarification or schedule, that can happen. There is nothing wrong with that.

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