Greater philosophical questions need to be considered when we talk about the Convention on the Future of Europe and examine its detail. Such questions, which are coming more to the fore, relate to the nature of federalism and the Union, or the degree to which sovereignty should be pooled and maintained. These issues were submerged for a long time during the European debate, which centred on the detail of the institutional apparatus and framework. The use of such jargon can make the European debate impenetrable to the public. We are beginning to engage with people on the important philosophical questions within which the debate takes place. The work of Senator Maurice Hayes in the Forum for Europe, which has attempted to engage people throughout the country, is to be applauded in that context. The European movement has also done some valuable work in that regard.