Written answers

Wednesday, 21 March 2007

Department of Foreign Affairs

EU Constitution

11:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he has discussed with his EU colleagues the issue of the ratification of the EU constitution having particular regard to the need for the Union to reaffirm its objectives and progress the European project; if his attention has been drawn to tendencies towards re-nationalisation within the Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10458/07]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation regarding developments on the future of the EU constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10380/07]

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of meetings at which the Government has been represented regarding the EU constitutional treaty since 1 January 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10416/07]

Photo of Seymour CrawfordSeymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the EU constitution will be put to the people by referendum in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10407/07]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps being taken at EU level to invigorate and progress the European project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10823/07]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in the context of the future development of the EU, he has observed indicators of re-nationalisation; the steps taken or proposed to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10825/07]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 121, 132, 159, 245 and 247 together.

The German Presidency intends to present at the June meeting of the European Council their conclusions on the way forward for the draft Constitutional Treaty, following completion of their bilateral consultations with Member States. The Presidency will also, this weekend, bring forward a political declaration to Heads of State and Government at their informal meeting in Berlin to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome. The Presidency intend that the Berlin Declaration will not alone recall the immense achievements of the Union to date and restate our common values, but will also reflect our shared commitment to overcoming the current difficulties facing us. Ireland strongly supports the efforts of the Presidency in this regard.

As regards ratification, procedures have been completed already by eighteen Member States and a number of others, including Ireland, wish to proceed to ratification as soon as there is certainty as to the final form and content of the Treaty. The House will recall that we were ready to proceed to ratification by means of a referendum but that it was necessary to place our plans on hold following the set-backs in the Netherlands and France.

We shall work closely with Partners in seeking to achieve a resolution to the current difficulties, while continuing to press our view that the essential substance and balance of the existing text should be retained. We look forward to resuming the ratification process in accordance with our domestic Constitutional requirements as soon as circumstances permit.

The Government consider that the draft Treaty contains answers to some of the key questions facing the Union and its citizens at this time. The Treaty provides, amongst other things, for greater institutional efficiency. It sets out clearly the Union's fundamental values and objectives, it specifies the respective competences of the Union and Member States, and it equips the Union to play a role on the world stage commensurate with its economic weight.

Ireland is strongly opposed to any tendencies on the part of Member States to pursue national interests at the expense of the Union as a whole. The Union can only function effectively on the basis of solidarity and compromise. There must be respect for the separate competences of Member States and the Union. Adoption of the Treaty will, we believe, strengthen the Union's capacity to continue to deliver the benefits that have stemmed from the Treaty of Rome over the past fifty years. The continued success and effectiveness of the Union is the best way in which we can contain unilateral tendencies on the part of Member States. The Government are determined to ensure that our position on the draft Treaty is widely understood and we are availing of all opportunities, bilateral as well as at EU level, to underline our commitment to the Treaty.

The German Presidency are proceeding largely by means of informal bilateral discussions. Heads of State and Government discussed the Berlin Declaration at the most recent European Council on 7 and 8 March, and there have also been discussions at meetings of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, three of which have taken place so far this year. In addition, the House will recall that my colleague, the Minister of State for European Affairs, Noel Treacy T.D, attended the informal 'Friends of the Constitutional Treaty' meeting called by his Spanish and Luxembourg counterparts in Madrid on 26 January. The Constitutional Treaty is also discussed regularly at official level.

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