The convention, which brings together representatives of Governments and Parliaments from the member and applicant states together with MEPs and representatives of the Commission, has been meeting since February, but its work has recently begun to gather pace. In last week's meeting of the forum, Senator Maurice Hayes made a very appropriate comparison. He suggested that something that started out like the west Clare railway line was now coming down the tracks like a TGV. The convention's process is unique. It involves, not only representatives of the member state Governments, but also representatives of the member state Parliaments and the European Parliament. It also involves representatives of the Parliaments and Governments of the applicant states. It is a uniquely open body in that all of its papers are available on the Internet. The criticism made about the process of producing previous treaties will no longer be valid in this case. What is taking place is happening in the open and those who wish to be engaged can have access.