Written Answers - Nice Treaty.
Ivor Callely
Question:
106
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the importance of the Nice Treaty for Ireland; the benefits that are likely to accrue to Ireland if the referendum is carried; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13073/01]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
128
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if any discussions have taken place within his Department regarding the future status and function of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs, with particular reference to the functions currently undertaken or proposed in other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13309/01]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
130
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the extent to which he is influencing the future development of Europe with particular reference to enlargement and integration; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13311/01]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
131
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
his reaction to the recently released proposals by the German Chancellor in regard to the future in terms of political integration and development in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13312/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 128, 130 and 131 together.
By making the necessary changes to the European Union's institutions and decision-making procedures, the Nice Treaty, when ratified in all member states, will permit enlargement of the Union to encompass the applicant countries of central and eastern Europe, together with the Mediterranean candidate states. This enlargement is highly significant, both for the applicant countries and existing member states, including Ireland. For the first time Europe will be united on the basis of democracy, respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law.
The benefits of enlargement will be considerable. The new member states will be afforded, as was Ireland on accession to the then EEC in 1973, the chance to develop economically and politically in a stable, prosperous environment. For an open, export oriented economy such as Ireland, the expansion of the Single Market to over 500 million people will bring unprecedented trading opportunities. Irish companies will also undoubtedly build on their already significant investments in the applicant countries.
A yes vote in the referendum on the Nice Treaty will also bring other benefits to Ireland, both direct and indirect. The treaty makes provision for valuable changes to the administration of justice by the European courts, likely to be of benefit in speeding up cases for citizens and companies. A new provision providing a treaty basis for co-operation between member states to combat social exclusion will also enter into force, a provision included in the treaty following an Irish initiative. Very importantly, a yes vote will cement our good relations with the candidate countries and ensure we continue to play a full role at the heart of Europe.
The Nice Treaty also provides for further debate on the future development of the Union, leading to a further intergovernmental conference in 2004. The issues to be examined 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 will be put forward as the debate develops. An overriding aim will be to increase public understanding of and support for European Union structures and procedures.
Significant contributions have already 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. This debate is continuing and it is understood that the German paper referred to is an internal discussion document under consideration by Chancellor Schröder's SPD party and does not represent official German policy. Nevertheless, the Government welcomes any contribution to the emerging debate on the future development of the European Union.
In this regard, while the Government is naturally focused, for the moment, on the important task of ratifying the Nice Treaty, 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. Belgium, as holder of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers for the second half of this year, 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. I look forward to consulting with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs regarding the structure of the debate, nationally and at European level, in particular with regard to issues which may arise in the context of the consideration to be given to the role of national parliaments in the EU framework.
The Government is ready to consider all of 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 characterised the Union from its inception, and that there is little support for proposals which would create any form of federal super state.
