The Convention covers every aspect of an enlarged Union and will generate lively debate in all member states in the period leading up to the Irish Presidency in January 2004. I have been a member of the Committee of the Regions in Europe for the past five years and we have had some very fruitful discussions with the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, as well as with Senator Maurice Hayes – in his role as chairman of the Forum on Europe – and Deputy John Bruton. We pointed out that it was of paramount importance that the principle of subsidiarity should be strongly defended and this has happened.