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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 3

Written Answers. - Nice Treaty.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

77 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if qualitative research has been undertaken to determine the main reasons for large scale voter abstention in the Nice treaty referendum; if so, if conclusions have been drawn from an analysis of the issue; the steps he has taken or proposes to take arising from such examination prior to putting the substantive question to the people again or modifying or amending the contents of the treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10278/02]

On 31 October last year, the European Commission published a report by Professor Richard Sinnott on the findings of a poll carried out the previous August on voter behaviour and attitudes in relation to the referendum on the Treaty of Nice. The poll covered a wide range of questions and the report analysed a wide range of factors affecting voter behaviour. Professor Sinnott identified the main reason for the very high rate of abstention as relating to a perceived lack of information or lack of understanding of the issues involved.

In response to the report, I suggested, inter alia, that the results showed the need for an extensive national debate on Europe and the need to inform the Irish people how important the EU has been and will continue to be for Ireland, and that choices to be made on the future of the EU were choices about the future of Ireland as well.

The Government has worked actively and constructively to address some of the key concerns which arose during the referendum campaign. The establishment of the National Forum on Europe has encouraged a wide-ranging debate on issues relating to the European Union and Ireland's role in that Union. The Government has brought forward proposals to improve scrutiny by the Oireachtas of EU affairs. When fully implemented, these measures will put Ireland's scrutiny arrangements on a par with the best in Europe and will contribute significantly to a fuller understanding of Ireland's role and influence in EU decision-making.
The Government is also examining ways in which the communication to ordinary people of how Europe operates and affects their lives could be significantly improved. Through its national representative, Mr. Ray MacSharry, it is engaging constructively in the European convention on the future of Europe which has recently got under way. The Government takes the view that one of the most fundamental questions that must be addressed is the sense of disconnection between the EU and many of its citizens and that the convention provides an important and timely forum for addressing this challenge.
At the Barcelona European Council on 15 and 16 March, the Taoiseach outlined the Government's approach to the ratification of the Nice treaty and reiterated the Government's commitment to completing that process before the end of the year so as to allow enlargement to take place on schedule. He indicated that a declaration confirming that Ireland's policy of military neutrality is not affected by the treaties would be helpful in this regard. The European Council welcomed the Government's approach and reiterated its willingness to contribute in every way to support the Government in the process of ratification and agreed to come back to the issue at its next meeting in Seville in June.
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