Don Lydon (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the team we sent to the Convention on the Future of Europe. Deputy Roche has proved to be a superb Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs. He has done a wonderful job. So too have Proinsias De Rossa and Deputy John Bruton, both of whom I listened to with great interest when they spoke in this House. When finalised, this document should be read by every Irish person. It will have profound effects on many areas of our endeavours.

Senator McDowell referred to it as little more than a tweaking. It is more than that. Though not complete, the draft is, as the Minister of State said, simpler than previous treaties. Its structure is clear and comprehensible. Those who have tried to read the treaties of Amsterdam, Maastricht or indeed Nice will understand that we have to simplify these things and make them more comprehensible. The Minister of State noted too that the Convention worked hard to address the disconnection between the European Union and its citizens.