Dan Neville
Question:14 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent eurobarometer findings that indicate that only 30% of people here had heard of the recent convention on a constitutional treaty. [30404/03]
Written Answers. - European Council Meetings.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:27 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the recent departures from the terms of the Stability and Growth Pact in the EU is likely to have wider implications affecting the various European Treaties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30462/03]
Trevor Sargent
Question:48 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the decisions made at the November 2003 two day meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Naples; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30509/03]
John Perry
Question:63 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the current Intergovernmental Conference will complete its work under the Irish Presidency of the European Union. [30422/03]
Damien English
Question:64 Mr. English asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on progress to date at the Intergovernmental Conference; and the current and future proposals the Government has or will put forward for changes to the convention draft. [30421/03]
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:65 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on recent reports that the President of the European Commission has stated that the draft European Constitution is being undermined and weakened due to excessive compromise at the Intergovernmental Conference. [30418/03]
Brian O'Shea
Question:82 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made to date by the Intergovernmental Conference; if he expects the negotiations on a new draft EU treaty to conclude during the Irish Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30492/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:134 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's likely position on the future of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30666/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:135 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if all EU countries are observing the spirit and letter of the treaties, with particular reference to the evolution of the European concept; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30667/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:136 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself that the EU, in terms of cohesion and integration, is proceeding as planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30668/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 27, 48, 63, 64, 65, 82, 134, 135 and 136 together.
It is disappointing that the eurobarometer findings indicate that only 30% of Irish people have heard of the work of the European Convention. The convention made significant headway towards making the European Union's treaties simpler and more accessible. It is, however, encouraging that, in the same poll, 71% of Irish people said that they intend to read the new treaty now being considered by the Intergovernmental Conference. It is important that people inform themselves in this way. The Government will continue to work to foster public debate, including through the national forum on Europe.
The Intergovernmental Conference is now in the final stages of its work. It is clear that many of the excellent recommendations made by the convention in simplifying the treaties and incorporating the Charter of Fundamental Rights, making it clearer to the citizen who does what and at what level. I would, therefore, not agree with those who contend that the work of the convention is being undermined. There are a number of outstanding issues to be addressed in the Intergovernmental Conference. However, with the right political will, I believe that these can be resolved in the meeting in Brussels which will begin tomorrow.
A great deal of progress has been made in recent weeks. The Presidency has brought forward a range of proposals both ahead of the ministerial meeting in Naples on 28 and 29 November and earlier this week. Many of these have been agreed.
In the area of justice and home affairs, the Presidency brought forward a number of new and helpful texts ahead of the Naples summit in response to concerns raised by Ireland and a number of other member states. Further advances were made this week. In the area of criminal law, there will now be a clear statement of the need to take into account the differences between the legal systems of member states, in particular differences between common law and other systems. There will also be a new mechanism whereby a member state could have a matter referred to the European Council if it believes that it would infringe the fundamental principles of its legal system. This is welcome progress.
Progress has also been made on many of the outstanding institutional questions. On the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, there is broad acceptance that team arrangements will apply. The Presidency has brought forward amended proposals on the new Union Foreign Minister, aimed at clarifying the balance between the Minister's responsibilities to the Council and the Commission. These appear to be broadly acceptable.
The main outstanding issues in the institutional area are the composition of the Commission and the definition of QMV. There are, as yet, no concrete proposals in these areas. However, on the Commission it looks like the Presidency is minded to provide that each member state would nominate a Commissioner, at least until some point in the future when a lower ceiling might apply. This is in keeping with Nice. On QMV, the Presidency seems minded to keep the dual majority system, but recognises that for some member states it is not acceptable in their current form.
On defence, the Presidency published new proposals at the end of the meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference in Naples. These were discussed at a further meeting on Monday. Ireland worked hard with the other neutral and non-aligned member states to ensure that our concerns were taken on board. Earlier this week, the Presidency brought forward amended proposals which represent real progress and take matters in a very positive direction. It is now clear that the distinctive policies of member states will be protected under the new arrangements.
On tax, we remain firm in our view that unanimity must apply. We have made this view very clear to the Presidency and other partners. The Minister for Finance takes the lead on matters relating to the Stability and Growth Pact. However, I can say that deliberations on the implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact do not have implications for the various European treaties and for our consideration of them in the Intergovernmental Conference.
Along with enlargement, the new constitutional treaty will represent a significant staging post in the history of the Union. For the first time, citizens will be able to look to a single text to see what the Union does and how it works. The treaty will contain new arrangements, including in the institutional area, which should help to ensure that the Union is fully equipped to meet the challenges that lie ahead.
I hope and believe that the work of the Intergovernmental Conference will be concluded under the Italian Presidency. It will then be for the Irish Presidency to undertake the necessary work to prepare the text for signature as quickly as possible, so that it can be known to the Union's citizens ahead of the European Parliament elections next June. If agreement is not secured, we will be ready to take this important work forward during our term in office.