Before and during the previous referendum on the Nice treaty the Labour Party called for a national forum to debate the future of Europe, a call which was also subsequently conceded by the Government. The forum to which I have been a delegate has played an important role in bringing to the table all sides of the debate on the Nice treaty. However, its importance goes beyond the treaty. It must continue debating the future of Europe and engaging people on questions such as how we can make the EU more democratic and relevant. However, it should also ask what kind of Europe we want, to what social model should we aspire, and how can we ensure social inclusion and justice. Ireland must be in the forefront of that debate on the future of Europe at a European level. In an enlarged Europe, Ireland will have many new allies in this debate.