John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

Some of those who attended the committee's meetings were under the impression that the EU's influence was all-pervasive and would dictate all areas of life. It will do so only in areas in which competence has been vested. The decision to vest competence was in order to create the edifice of peace which Schuman, Spaak, Monet and others realised was needed on the European mainland after the cataclysm of the Second World War. Our domestic experience demonstrates that it is incorrect to claim that continuous peace has existed in Europe. However, it is an enduring legacy that global conflicts based on nationalism have been avoided. The EU has brought us more than economic benefit. It has influenced our national self-confidence and our relationship with our nearest neighbour. Those of us educated in the 1960s remember that our horizons were totally limited by our nearest neighbour. We never looked beyond it to any other model. Our Parliament is based on the Westminster model. We never looked to any other models. The European Union has given us significant national self-confidence and has transformed Irish life. The economic miracle has been part of it and, in some respects, a by-product of it. We have done much ourselves but the European Union has utterly transformed Irish life for the better.

The constitution will put a restriction on the Union in terms of how it encroaches on the rights of member states, other than in those areas where we have given the competence. The qualified majority aspect is important but there must be unanimity in regard to defence, taxation and foreign policy. In regard to defence, it is important to say nothing can happen unless we so decide. If there is to be an EU army and a common defence policy, we must sign up. It must be unanimously agreed. If it is not unanimously agreed, it cannot happen and we cannot be forced into it. In any event, NATO is still the pillar to which most of the states will look in terms of the common defence aspect.

In regard to the Presidency, getting rid of the six-month term and having a two and a half year one is useful in terms of continuity. There is the issue of the double hatting and the Foreign Minister. Somebody asked who they should telephone when a foreign policy issue arises. I have dealt with the defence aspect. There is also the issue of Commission reform which, when slimmed down, will make it better. The larger states have lost out in that they had two Commissioners. In regard to parliamentary reform, we have shown today we can adjust and be liberal. It is good to have our MEPs here and I look forward to hearing what they have to say.