Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Apr 1994

Vol. 441 No. 6

Written Answers. - Draft Constitution for Europe.

John Bruton

Question:

62 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the resolution of the European Parliament calling for a convention of members of the European Parliament and of Parliaments of member states to adopt a draft constitution for Europe in advance of the proposed Intergovernmental Conference scheduled for 1996.

John Bruton

Question:

82 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the proposal of the European Parliament that a group of eminent persons be appointed by the EU summit to consider a draft constitution for Europe.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 82 together.

The European Parliament has proposed that a convention of members of the European Parliament and of Parliaments of the member states be held prior to 1996 to adopt a draft constitution for Europe, based on a draft submitted by the European Parliament. It has also proposed that a group of eminent persons be appointed to consider a draft constitution for Europe.

Already as part of its preparations for the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) the Council has agreed to invite the European Parliament and the Commission to work with it on a report on the operation of the Treaty on European Union. It is expected that this report will be completed by mid 1995.

The report will serve as an input to the work of a group of representatives of Foreign Ministers who will be appointed by the forthcoming meeting of the European Council in Corfu. This group of personal representatives which will work in association with the European Parliament will begin its task in mid 1995. It will be askedinter alia, taking account of the views and arguments of the members states, to identify options for the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference in such areas as weighted voting.

In my view the setting up of this group to consider the issues facing the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference will go a long way to meet the call by the European Parliament for the appointment of a group of eminent persons; and the invitation from the Council to the Parliament and the Commission to work with it on a report on the operation of the European Union Treaty will allow the Parliament a full opportunity to present its views on the idea of a constitution for Europe over the coming months.

It remains, of course, for the Parliament itself if it so wishes to pursue in specific detail the proposals which it has made including the proposal for the holding of a convention involving its members and members of national Parliaments.