Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Discussions have been ongoing. In fact, the Taoiseach was with the German Chancellor before Germany took on the Presidency. Since then there have been discussions at official level. I was due to meet the German Foreign Minister next week but that has been postponed mainly owing to problems with my diary. I will see him at the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, and hope to renew discussions with him on this issue.

The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Treacy, and his officials have been in constant contact with the Germans on this matter and I met the Spanish Foreign Minister yesterday on the same subject. I do not disagree with what Deputy Costello said in his opening statement regarding the need to keep the core of the constitution. It is sometimes forgotten that many member states have ratified this, something I discussed with the Spanish Foreign Minister, some by way of referendum. We have a duty to the people in those countries to sustain the principles set out in the constitution to which those people gave their assent. We are not in favour of part ratification and we oppose the cherry-picking mentioned by Deputy Costello because we believe, having been involved in negotiations towards the end of drafting of the constitution, if one cherry-picks on one side people will wish to add or remove elements from the other side.

I agree with Deputy Costello that we must examine issues such as climate change and energy matters as they affect Europe in particular. Some additions could be made to the constitution in this regard without taking from the main issues on which a compromise was reached between all member states.

Deputy Costello referred to enlargement and that must be examined carefully. Given that we do not have the tools to allow enlargement to take place, it is generally accepted that we need to change the structures of the EU to allow it to work better given that it has expanded dramatically in recent years.

It is unfair to criticise the Finns as there was a period of reflection and it was accepted they would liaise with all the member states and then hand over to the Germans, with substantive work being done during the German Presidency. It is generally accepted that this cannot go on forever and that a conclusion must be reached on the matter within the next year or so.

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