Proinsias De Rossa:

I thank all the contributors, some of whose questions were quite challenging in terms of dealing with them in a precise way. The big challenge for the Convention is communication of the ideas being debated in a way that is not prescriptive but that leaves people the opportunity to examine them from different perspectives. I have different views from others on many issues, although I do not necessarily believe I always have the correct view. People need to consider issues in a way that leaves open the possibility of their agreeing with a position that at the moment they believe is a little too far out for them. We will not make progress in Europe unless we are willing to make those changes. It is equally true that we need to defend certain positions. Debate is the important thing about the Convention.