I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
Further to my statement in the House on Wednesday, 3 June, Deputies will be aware that at their special meeting in Oslo on Thursday last, EC Foreign Ministers agreed that the ratification process in member states will continue on the basis of the existing text of the Treaty on European Union and in accordance with the Treaty timetable before the end of the year. In short, the agreed procedures for ratification will go ahead and the door for Denmark's participation remains open. The position will be reviewed later in the light of developments.
The agenda for the European Council in Lisbon has not yet been finalised but, as I have indicated before in the House, it will include the Delors II budgetary package and EC enlargement. The Government will be participating actively and constructively in that Council.
The statement agreed today by the leaders of the four main parties in the House, Deputy John Bruton, Deputy Dick Spring, Deputy Des O'Malley and myself, is relevant to the attitude which the Government will take at the Lisbon Summit.
I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate a copy of that statement with this reply.
Four Party Leaders call for "Yes" to Treaty on European Union.
Following a meeting today between the Taoiseach and Leader of Fianna Fáil, Albert Reynolds, T.D.; the Leader of Fine Gael, John Bruton, T.D.; the Leader of the Labour Party, Dick Spring, T.D.; and the Minister for Industry and Commerce and Leader of the Progressive Democrats, Desmond O'Malley, T.D.; the following statement was issued.
The four leaders have concluded that:
The balance of advantage for Ireland remains, very strongly, in favour of supporting the Maastricht Treaty on European Union.
For, either the Danish decision will change, in which event a referendum decision authorising Irish ratification will be of crucial importance, or the Danish decision stands, in which event a positive Irish decision will be a strong expression by the Irish people of our commitment to the principle and process of European integration, and provide a solid political basis for the Irish approach to the Community discussions that will then be necessary.
The Treaty has been overwhelmingly endorsed by the Dáil and Seanad. The economic, social and political benefits for Ireland have not changed with the Danish referendum result. Our other partners are resolved to move ahead and ratify the Treaty. Re-negotiation has been firmly ruled out.
The Treaty has the potential to boost economic growth, provide more jobs and narrow disparities in living standards between Community countries. The task for us is to translate that economic growth into jobs here in Ireland. The Economic and Social Research Institute stated last week:
The strength with which Ireland weathered the international recession and the favourable prospects opened up by the Single European Market and, assuming ratification of the Maastricht Treaty, by moves towards European Monetary Union are powerful reasons why confidence in Ireland's ability to sustain a growth rate well above the European average over the coming decade should increase steadily from now on.
Economic and Monetary Union should help bring about lower interest rates, thus facilitating greater investment and helping to realise the potential that exists for economic growth and job creation.
A "No" vote would be clearly against our national interest. It would run the risk of causing a flow of investment funds out of the country, an increase in interest rates, still higher unemployment and lower living standards. It would also relegate us to the margins, with a greatly reduced ability to influence the major decisions being made internationally which directly affect our interests one way or the other.
The breaking down of trade barriers presents us with the challenge of competing even more effectively. But if we can compete, the Treaty also helps the creation of jobs in Ireland because it underpins our freedom to sell our goods and services all over Europe. It will create a single European currency, saving the time and costs of changing money at every border, including our own.
The Treaty also offers a new framework for fruitful co-operation between Irish men and women, North and South in this country. As already exemplified in the European Community, the prospects for peace, reconciliation, and stability throughout the island of Ireland can only be strengthened by a much greater degree of economic co-operation and interdependence.
The Treaty will guarantee common environmental standards across Europe, protecting countries from pollution generated by their neighbours. Although much remains to be done, the Agreement on Social Policy associated with the Treaty extends the scope of majority voting and significantly improves workers' and women's rights. The Treaty has the potential to strengthen the Community's role as a core of stability in Europe, to place Europe in the vanguard of the battle against hunger, want and oppression, and to make Europe a force for peace, justice and development in the world.
The Maastricht Treaty is helping us to build a structure for peace in Europe — peace through unity. Defence issues are not being decided in this Treaty. The Treaty provides for an Intergovernmental Conference on defence and other issues in 1996. At this conference decisions will have to be taken by unanimity. In short, a union decision on defence could not take effect without Ireland's agreement. All the Party leaders who are signatories to this statement confirm that Ireland's agreement to any such decision will not be given without a further referendum of the people.
All the Leaders who have signed this statement agree that the right to information, appropriately regulated by law, and to travel will be copperfastened in a further Referendum in the autumn.
Legislative and-or Constitutional changes arising from the Supreme Court decision on Article 40.3.3º of the Constitution will be placed before the Dáil by the Government as soon as is practicable and, in any case, by the autumn.
Along with other European leaders, we are disappointed with the outcome of the recent referendum in Denmark. But the Community has confirmed that the door remains open for Denmark's participation in European Union. In the meantime, the focus of attention will be on Ireland's decision. It is, more than ever, vitally important for Ireland, and for Europe, that the people of Ireland vote "Yes".
This will enhance our standing in Europe and strengthen our position in EC negotiating fora at a time when very important negotiations are under way. This is, therefore, a time for the greatest possible national unity and consensus. This is why we have joined together in this call to the Irish people for a resounding "Yes" vote.
European integration is a response to practical realities. But, in its best form, as reflected in the preamble to the Treaty on European Union, it is also a noble ideal, involving the deepening of solidarity between the European peoples, while respecting their respective histories, cultures and traditions. It has the potential further to consolidate the foundations for durable peace in Europe and for a constructive and unselfish European role in promoting peace, liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and prosperity throughout the world.
The Irish people have always supported this European ideal. The Treaty on European Union offers a fresh opportunity of shaping a Community in tune with the best traditions and values of the Irish people. Ní neart go cur le chéile!