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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Oct 1995

Vol. 457 No. 2

Written Answers. - Intergovernmental Conference.

Bertie Ahern

Question:

25 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the reflection group charged with the preparation of the Intergovernmental Conference in 1996. [13780/95]

The reflection group which is to assist in the preparation of next year's Intergovernmental Conference started its work in June. Nine meetings of the group have taken place so far. It has completed in initial round of discussions on the issues likely to arise at the Intergovernmental Conference, and has had a further round of discussions on the basis of a progress report prepared by the chairman of the reflection group, Mr. Carlos Westerdorp. The group will continue to meet regularly over the coming weeks and will submit its final report to the European Council in Madrid in December.

The reflection group is not a negotiating forum. Its role is to help in identifying the challenges to be addressed by the Intergovernmental Conference, to clarify the issues and where possible to set out possible options. It will be the task of the Intergovernmental Conference itself to negotiate any Treaty amendments.

As the Irish member of the reflection group, I have already given one detailed briefing to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs and will be giving a further briefing to the Committee on 24 October.

The work of the group is progressing very satisfactorily. Discussions have centred on five main themes: the challenges facing the Union and the objectives of the Intergovernmental Conference; the institutional system; the Union and the citizen; the Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy; and the so-called instruments of the Union, a concept which includes, for example, subsidiarity and the possibility of incorporating new competences in the Treaty.

There are differing views in the reflection group both on the scope of the agenda of the Intergovernmental Conference and on the level of ambition for its outcome.

In the preliminary discussion taking place in the reflection group I have emphasised that in our view the Intergovernmental Conference should address three main challenges. First, it must streamline the functioning of the Union's institutions with a view to further enlargement. Second, it must help to bridge the gap which has in some respects opened up between the Union and its citizens by making its own workings more transparent and comprehensible and by demonstrating that the Union can help to address effectively the most direct concerns of the public including unemployment and the fight against international crime and drug trafficking. Third, it must ensure that the European Union can contribute in a way commensurate with its size and responsibilities to the preservation of international peace and security. I am pleased that a broad measure of agreement is beginning to emerge on the need to give priority to these challenges.
In addressing these challenges it is essential at the same time that the Union should broadly preserve the essential balances which have served the Union well and which are essential for its future success. I have emphasised on the one hand the importance of preserving the balance between the institutions. For example, the Commission's role in the decision-making process and as the defender of the common interest the member states must be preserved. On the other hand I have stressed that the essential balance between the member states within the different institutions must also be preserved. For example, the right of every member state to nominate a full member of the Commission must be maintained.
I do not underestimate the task which lies ahead for the Intergovernmental Conference. It is clear that the list of issues likely to arise is extensive and that on many of these issues the range of views is considerable. I have no doubt, however, the reflection group will play an important role in clarifying the agenda of the Intergovernmental Conference and thereby in facilitating its work.
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