Written Answers - European Union Integration.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
80
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if his attention has been drawn to future proposals in respect of European integration and development as expressed by Chancellor Schröder; if he has examined the implications of the suggested second chamber and the proposed super executive or commission; the extent to which such proposals coincide with his vision in terms of the future of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13057/01]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
85
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
his preferred option in respect of preparation for the next Intergovernmental Conference; if preliminary discussions should be by way of public hearings as in the case of the European Charter on Fundamental Human Rights, at Council of Ministers level, at European Parliament level, at COSAC level or by way of a combination of all such avenues; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13056/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 85 together.
The Deputy may be aware that the proposals to which he refers are contained in an internal discussion document under consideration by German Chancellor Schröder's SPD party and do not, of course, represent German government policy. Nevertheless, I welcome any contribution to the emerging debate on the future development of the European Union.
This debate has as its basis the Declaration on the Future of the Union agreed at the Nice Euro pean Council last December. That declaration highlighted a number of questions which would be addressed in advance of a future intergovernmental conference in 2004. These questions include the division of competences between national and EU authorities; the status of the Charter of Fundamental Rights; the simplification of the EU Treaties to make them more accessible to the public; and, the role of national parliaments in the EU framework.
This list was not intended to be exclusive, and a range of proposals aimed at improving the operation of the Union are expected to be put forward. An overriding aim will be to increase public understanding of European Union structures and procedures.
It will be recalled that already significant contributions have been made to the debate by the Belgian, Finnish and British Prime Ministers, among others, while the Taoiseach outlined the Government's views on these issues in his address to the European Movement on 6 November last.
In this regard, while the Government are naturally focused, for the moment, on the important task of ratifying the Treaty of Nice, we look forward to bringing forward proposals in the near future for organising a national debate on the future of Europe, and will be seeking views and dialogue with as wide a range of public opinion as possible. This national debate will feed into a Europe-wide consultation which will include national governments, and national and European parliamentarians. The candidate countries will also play an important role in the process. The form this ‘structured-consultation' will take is yet to be decided. The future Belgian Presidency is expected to bring forward proposals as to the precise arrangements for structuring the discussions, and these will be considered at the Laeken-Brussels European Council in December 2001.
The Government is ready to consider all the various suggestions made in this debate, while noting that there appears to be widespread recognition of the need to maintain the broad institutional balances which have characterized the Union from its inception, and that there is little support for proposals for a federal super state.
Question No. 81 answered with Question No. 68.
