Mary Henry (Independent)

I am delighted the Minister of State is representing us at the Convention. It is good to see someone doing something for which he has such enthusiasm. He has always expressed great enthusiasm for any projects related to Europe.

Senator Bradford is right that our attitudes have changed and expanded during the years we have been members of the EEC and then the European Union. However, we got a nasty shock last year when we, as politicians, did not put enough work into explaining what the first Nice treaty referendum meant. Much work had to be put into the second referendum. As other Senators, particularly Senator Ormonde, said, we want to be ready to explain everything about the Convention. I compliment Senator Maurice Hayes on the way he runs the Forum on Europe which both Senator Quinn and I attend. It is making a huge difference in ensuring the public is involved in the issue. Mr. Proinsias De Rossa said last week that the Seanad was the first House of any Parliament in Europe to address the issue.

The Minister of State said that it looked like there would be a longer lead-in time than was previously envisaged before the Convention became de facto legislation. Does he think the current problems and divisions within the European Union regarding Iraq will make the situation more difficult? It looks like President Bush is determined to go to war, regardless of what we do. That could prolong matters further because we do not know what it will lead to. That is sad. I hope the Minister of State and those working with him will do their utmost to keep the progress being made on track.

I am taken by the Minister of State's idea about the election of the president of the Council. No matter what way it is managed, it is important that each country acts simultaneously. There is tremendous cohesion and strength when something like that happens. The marches all over the world, but particularly throughout Europe, against the war in Iraq gave a great sense of belonging and the importance of being part of the European movement. When I remarked to someone that I thought the march in Paris would have been larger than 500,000, I was told that it was the first time the French had ever marched for anything in their Government's favour. It is quite incredible that they always march against but never in favour of the Government.