Seanad debates

Tuesday, 10 June 2003

Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements.

 

The Convention has done a great deal of good work over the past 16 months. I am sure that its report to the European Council will receive a broad welcome from EU leaders. It is important to note, however, that much more work needs to be done, some of which will be done at the Intergovernmental Conference, which is not to say anything negative about the Convention. The report will form, in large part, the basis for the negotiations in the Intergovernmental Conference that will follow in the autumn. At the same time, it is important to remember that the constitutional treaty will still only be in draft form and that it is highly likely that all Governments will have concerns that they will wish to revisit at the Intergovernmental Conference. The Government will give the final report of the Convention its most careful and detailed consideration with a view to ensuring any points of concern it identifies will be examined at the Intergovernmental Conference.

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