Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I fully appreciate the Deputy's concerns given some of the reports in the media but the Government has no reservations regarding the charter. As I said in my reply, it is prudent to take the opportunity to examine the implications for the charter of this additional protocol, which was introduced at a very late stage. As the Taoiseach and I have said previously, the additional protocol seems excessive given that the field of application section in the charter makes it clear that the charter applies to the institutions of the European Union and member states as they apply legislation. It is wise to review the implications for the charter, although we do not have concerns about the charter itself.

I recall that Deputy Allen was perturbed by my reading out the elements of the charter.

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