Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I am not aware of any more comprehensive arrangements in any other member or accession state. If the Senator is interested or if he has any ideas on ways to improve it, I would be delighted to hear from him. We have been very open in this area, have put in place an institutional structure which is unusually comprehensive and are more advanced in this regard than any other member state.

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs has been following the work of the Convention closely. The Oireachtas Members at the Convention and I have been pleased to appear before it to answer questions on the progress of the Convention's work. In addition to the Joint Committee on European Affairs, other Oireachtas committees will undoubtedly be considering the work of the Convention. The joint committee which deals with justice and home affairs matters examined the issue and will be considering the work of the Convention. It will receive my full co-operation and that of the other Convention members.