Vol. 530 No. 2
62 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation in the draft Nice treaty and the charter of fundamental rights in the context of recent media reports which have given cause for concern regarding Europe's heritage and controlling the influence of the Church; his views on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3418/01]
At the Nice European Council on 7-9 December 2000, the Charter of Fundamental Rights was jointly proclaimed by the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission. The content of the charter had already been approved at the informal European Council meeting in Biarritz on 13-14 October. The charter is in the form of a political declaration and draws together the civil, political, economic and social rights set out in various international and other instruments. The charter is not a legally binding instrument and any of the provisions contained therein are not legally justiciable.
The charter does not form part of the draft Treaty of Nice and the draft treaty has no implications for religious freedom or the position of the Churches.
The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights contains a range of provisions guaranteeing freedom of religion and practice. Article 10 of the charter states that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Article 21 contains a specific provision prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of religion. In addition Article 22 guarantees that the European Union shall respect, inter alia, religious diversity.
