The French European Affairs Minister who visited the forum earlier this year explained that the French have two choices under their constitution for dealing with matters of this nature. One is to hold a referendum and the other is to put it to parliament. They decided to take the parliamentary route, a perfectly legitimate constitutional position to take. Other countries in Europe have taken a sovereign and legitimate decision to ratify the treaty as they see fit. The argument in this regard does not carry weight and does not advance the case that has been eloquently made by all sides of the House with regard to the passing of the Nice treaty.