Derek McDowell (Labour)

On behalf of the Labour Party, I welcome Ms Ahern to the House. Whatever our differences, our parties tend to find themselves on more or less the same side of the argument on most issues, both here and on a European level. In a sense, that is reflected in her own family background; her father was to the fore in progressive politics in both our parties at various times. I offer belated condolences on his recent death.

I agree with almost everything Ms Ahern said about the Stability and Growth Pact and about EURATOM. She led off with the issue of the European constitution, saying positive things about the Convention and the process that has almost led to the draft constitution. I will go along with that. However, I am conscious, as I am sure is Ms Ahern, of a report produced subsequent to the Convention entitled Alternative Report: The Europe of Democracies. It is a relatively short report and is extremely critical not only of the constitution but of the process, which it says was wholly undemocratic and did not involve the grass roots in Europe. It then goes on to set out principles for a Europe of democracies. If any selected half dozen of these principles were applied, the EU would come to an end because it states, for example, that laws should only have effect if national parliaments pass them and that national parliaments can veto any law which is deemed of national interest. It calls for an end to activism at European Court level.

Ms Ahern is probably familiar with the document. The reason I am asking about it is that it was endorsed by my good friend and her colleague, Deputy Gormley. I know the Green Party is working through a process of locating itself on these issues and I do not want to go down that road. I invite Ms Ahern, however, to comment on the document. Does it represent her personal views as she heads into retirement, to use Senator Browne's unfortunate phrase? Is she party to it, and does she endorse the views endorsed by Deputy Gormley?