Before I deal with some of the implications of the motion, I want to pay tribute to the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, and the other delegates and alternates to the Convention on the Future of Europe, for their work and commitment leading up to the adoption of the draft constitutional treaty by the 105 members of the Convention on 13 June last. There is widespread agreement that in terms of the overall package Ireland did quite well. This is acknowledged even by the main Opposition parties. Credit must go to the Minister of State for the leadership he showed in Ireland's involvement in many of the amendments which were incorporated in the final draft.