I have put some thought into how I would like to see the forum for Europe shaping up. Ireland needs to generate its own ideal and model for the future institutional development of the European Union. There is also a need for greater Oireachtas involvement in European affairs. It is high time for a comprehensive debate on the nature of the emerging European Union and perhaps a debate on the risks associated with opting out of any discussion on its future direction. These are all areas that can soon be debated but the immediate issue is to get the referendum on the Nice treaty passed because none of this may exist if we do not. We will certainly be seen as isolationist if the treaty is rejected.