I propose taking Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the Government attaches importance to keeping the public and the Oireachtas informed of developments at the Intergovernmental Conference and to encouraging public debate about the issues involved. This commitment is reflected in the publication of the White Paper on Foreign Policy.
The Government will continue to keep the public and the Oireachtas informed of progress at the Intergovernmental Conference and we will continue to do all that is necessary to stimulate public interest and debate.
The Irish Presidency has drawn up an ambitious work programme for the Intergovernmental Conference with a view to fulfiling the mandate given by the Florence European Council namely to present to the Dublin European Council in December a general outline for a draft revision of the treaties. The Irish Presidency is seeking to move the Conference from its exploratory phase to the negotiation phase by focusing wherever possible on concrete draft texts for treaty changes.
The first papers submitted to the Conference by the Irish Presidency containing such draft texts dealt with the areas of Employment and Justice and Home Affairs and were considered at a meeting of Intergovernmental Conference Representatives, that is the Personal Representatives of Foreign Ministers on 16 and 17 July. Further papers concerning the Common Foreign and Security Policy, External Economic Relations and Transparency were submitted with a view to discussion at a meeting of Intergovernmental Conference Representatives on 22 and 23 July.