Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Costello is correct that the reform treaty is substantially the same as the work we had completed during the Irish Presidency. Obviously it does not carry the status of a constitutional treaty because people in this and other countries raised issues in that regard. Amendments and changes have been made to it. Some issues were agreed in the subsequent discussions earlier this year and in the June European Council. It would not be correct to say that the same document will issue from the Intergovernmental Conference. There is an ongoing round of discussions and I understand from the Minister of State, Deputy Dick Roche, that my worry that people would try to reopen issues has not happened. Things are in line with the position we had reached in June, and that being the case, we have nothing to worry about.

The former British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, late in the night of the June meeting introduced legal submissions and caveats, about an examination of a number of areas in the JHA area and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. I stated that we wanted the right to examine the legality of those submissions. We have examined them and they have no implications for us. It was never our intention to opt out of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. I have supported the Charter of Fundamental Rights from the time it was prepared seven or eight years ago up to the constitution. We brought it forward and included it in the Irish Presidency. We are and have always been supportive of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

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