The Minister of State touched on some broader EU issues in the latter part of his contribution. Now that the Nice treaty has been passed by the electorate, there is a danger that the interest in the European project will be allowed to wane. I agree with other speakers that the debate we have had on Europe in the last three months has been healthy, generally speaking, and that it would be wrong to allow it to come to a halt. Major decisions are being taken in the context of the Convention on the Future of Europe. As Senator Ormonde said, it is important that both Houses should play a part in determining the outcome of the convention. The Minister of State, for the first time to the best of my knowledge, spelt out the Government's approach when he said he believes that the Government and the Irish people are "broadly comfortable with the current distribution of competence between member states and the Union" and that they are happy with the balance of power between the various elements of the Union. I do not agree with the Minister's remarks, as I believe they betray the Government's complacency and contradict what is said elsewhere.