Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Treacy, and his official. I also welcome the White Paper, which I have not yet had the chance to examine.

One of the respects in which we have a superb public service is with regard to Europe. Tremendous commitment is found across Departments that is a blend of idealism and enlightened self interest. We are exceptionally fortunate in that regard. This showed through when we were able, where others failed, to get agreement on the draft constitutional treaty.

The undoubted malaise in regard to the constitution is both economic and political. Economic stagnation, particularly in continental Europe, has much to do with our current situation. The outcome of the German general election, in terms of government formation, is not unsatisfactory. I hope a grand coalition continuing along the path started a year or so ago by the outgoing Chancellor Schröeder will succeed in returning business confidence into the German economy. This is important for all of us because that engine has been missing. There is also a certain political malaise, perhaps more in France than in Germany, where, following enlargement, there is no longer the feeling that France, or the Franco-German partnership, is running the show. There is some uncertainty as to from where the impetus comes.

It is right that there should be a period of reflection on the constitutional treaty. If one were to attempt to force ahead at this point, one would only get further rebuffs. I sense that people here may argue that we could say no to the treaty because other countries have done so and, therefore, there would be no serious consequences, which puts us in danger of finding ourselves in a situation similar to that which obtained following the first referendum on the Nice Treaty. This would not be helpful.

I was interested to note that the Taoiseach expressed belief and confidence that the constitutional treaty would, sooner or later, be back on the agenda. I suspect that one or two elections in continental Europe may have to take place before this is possible. Unlike Senator Maurice Hayes, I am implacably more on the side of the Taoiseach than on the side of Senator Quinn as regards the Common Agricultural Policy. Without casting aspersions on anyone's idealism, it must be borne in mind that Senator Quinn comes from a commercial sector of the economy that has rather different interests from the productive agricultural sector. I do not buy the argument that the Common Agricultural Policy as a whole is detrimental to developing countries. The ACP countries, especially the Caribbean countries, have made it clear they are not in favour of the reforms of the sugar beet industry being proposed by the European Commission. They have explained that the present system, under which they can buy in, suits them much better.

I applaud the Government on its courageous position on issues like the EU's accession negotiations with Turkey. As the Taoiseach acknowledged in his speech, many people have reservations about the opening of negotiations, which I think is the correct thing to do. It is clear that Turkish accession will be possible only if a series of conditions which are not right at the moment come right in the future. I am glad Ireland has taken its position on the appropriate side of the argument.