Written Answers. - Maastricht Treaty.
Dick Spring
Question:
22
Mr. Spring
asked the
Taoiseach
if he will make a statement on the European Summit meeting called by the British Prime Minister in the aftermath of the French vote on the Treaty on European Union and on all developments in relation to the treaty.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:
23
Proinsias De Rossa
asked the
Taoiseach
the position he intends to adopt at the forthcoming EC summit to discuss the aftermath of the French Referendum on Maastricht; if he will, at the summit, urge the renegotiation of the Maastricht Treaty to deal with the fears and concerns reflected in the outcome of the referenda in the three countries in which it has been put to a vote; if he intends to support the Danish case for additions to the Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:
24
Proinsias De Rossa
asked the
Taoiseach
if, in the light of the Danish Government's intention to seek the addition of certain Protocols to the Maastricht Treaty, the Government will now seek the deletion of Protocol 17.
Peter Barry
Question:
25
Mr. Barry
asked the
Taoiseach
whether, in his opinion, the Maastricht Treaty can be proceeded with in view of the results of the Danish and French referenda.
Roger T. Garland
Question:
27
Mr. Garland
asked the
Taoiseach
if, in light of the Danish Prime Minister's statement that Denmark intends to initiate changes to the Maastricht treaty, he intends to seek any changes to it; if not the reason therefor; if so, if he will give details of these changes; whether they will include the protection of Irish neutrality and the deletion of the Protocol relating to Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 to 25, inclusive, and 27 together.
I am happy to repeat in the House the welcome I expressed on 20 September, when it became clear that the people of France had endorsed the Treaty on European Union, as the Irish people did in June.
In my statement, I also said that with the support of France now assured, it was important that the Member States now complete the ratification process. I indicated that a Bill to amend the European Community Acts 1972-86, would be ready for consideration by the Dáil and Seanad early in this session, thus enabling completion of the ratification process in Ireland. In my statement I also said:
The past week has been a turbulent one but the events we have seen serve only to underline the need for the strengthened integration in the monetary, economic and political spheres, based on firm programmes of economic and monetary convergence and of economic and social cohesion, for which the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty can pave the way. Ireland will play its full part in driving this process forward.
I also sent a message of congratulations to President Mitterrand. In contacts with the British Presidency before the French referendum, Ireland joined with political leaders in France, Germany and Italy in urging the Presidency to convene a special meeting of the European Council, so that the Heads of State or Government could give a collective impetus to integration. I am glad that the Presidency responded positively and speedily to these urgings and that a special meeting of the European Council has now been fixed for 16 October in Birmingham.
It emerged afterwards that the position I took was generally shared throughout the Community. At a meeting in New York on 21 September, the General Affairs Council issued a declaration on the Maastricht Treaty, which stated that the Council "attached a high priority to the speedy and successful conclusion of the ratification process, without reopening the present text, on the timing foreseen in Article R of the Treaty."
That Article refers to entry into force on 1 January next, although it also provides for later entry into force if this is unavoidable.
In fact, some member states have already ratified, and there is confidence that the ratification procedures will be completed in at least ten member states by the end of the year.
It is generally agreed, as reflected in the Council Declaration of 21 September, that there can and will be no renegotiation of the Maastricht Treaty.
Any fundamental changes or Protocols in the Treaty, requiring another constitutional referendum, would be unacceptable to Ireland, whose people voted by a 69 per cent majority for the existing proposals.
We are indeed anxious that the whole Community should move forward together, as Twelve, and we are prepared to co-operate in any steps that will help to facilitate ratification in Denmark or any other member state, so long as such steps uphold the Community achievements and do not impede the dynamic of integration.
I have made it clear before in the House and it has been borne out further by recent developments that none of the member states would be prepared to consider, before they have completed their ratification, holding an Intergovernmental Conference to delete or amend Protocol No. 17, if we did propose that course. I would also refer Deputies to the Solemn Declaration adopted by the Community on this project.
The Presidency have indicated that the Birmingham European Council will deal with the Danish situation, the EMS and making the Community more open to its citizens. In preparation for the meeting and to get across the Irish viewpoint, in addition to any message to President Mitterrand, I have met the British and Spanish Prime Ministers and there have been Ministerial and diplomatic contacts with Germany, the Netherlands and France. In all these contacts, I have stressed that Ireland does not favour a two-speed Community in the monetary or any other sphere, but that if such a Community did come about, Ireland would wish to be with the central core.
The continuing debate on the Maastricht Treaty in the member states has revealed a range of anxieties and concerns, which the Government recognise would suggest that more needs to be done to bring the Community closer to its citizens.
The Government are prepared to co-operate to this end and to consider the appropriate application of the principle of subsidiarity set out in Article 3B of the Treaty but this cannot involve calling into question fundamental aspects of the Treaty of Rome, particularly in regard to the right of initiative of the Commission. The Government are exercising vigilance to ensure that "subsidiarity" is not used as a cover for rolling back Community achievements or heading off further integration in areas where this is desirable. Our viewpoint on this matter was clearly set out at the General Affairs Council this week and there was also full agreement on these points when I met Prime Minister Gonzalez on Monday.
At home, we are examining how best to ensure that our people are well informed about and understand Community matters.
