Written Answers. - European Union Development.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:
43
Mr. J. O'Keeffe
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the way in which he envisages the European Union developing in the future; and the strategy being pursued at the Convention on the Future of Europe to achieve this objective.
[26325/02]
Bernard Allen
Question:
46
Mr. Allen
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will report on the progress regarding the Convention on the Future of Europe.
[26488/02]
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:
80
Mr. J. O'Keeffe
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will issue either a White Paper or a position paper outlining the aims and objectives of the Government arising from its participation in the Convention on the Future of Europe.
[26326/02]
John Gormley
Question:
91
Mr. Gormley
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
his views on the draft constitutions from the EU Commission, including the official draft from the Commission as a whole and the unofficial feasibility study draft from Commission President, Romano Prodi; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26477/02]
Seán Ryan
Question:
92
Mr. S. Ryan
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed that Ireland risked marginalisation in the discussions at the Convention on the Future of Europe due to the failure of the Government to take the work of the Convention seriously; the Government's response to these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26537/02]
Olwyn Enright
Question:
97
Ms Enright
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will make a statement on the EU Commission documents on the Convention on the Future of Europe.
[26489/02]
Trevor Sargent
Question:
157
Mr. Sargent
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will report on the informal lunch in the first week in December 2002 between seven small EU countries, including Ireland, called at the initiative of Greece, who will hold the Presidency in the first half of 2003, to discuss reaching a common understanding on a future EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26479/02]
Seán Haughey
Question:
161
Mr. Haughey
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
his views on the Convention on the Future of Europe; if he has adopted a stance on the work of the ten working groups as well as the new working group on social affairs; if he will be making a comprehensive statement in relation to the future direction to be taken by the EU as he sees it; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[26757/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 46, 80, 91, 92, 97, 157 and 161 together.
As Deputies will be aware, a highly important debate about the future of Europe is currently under way at the European Convention on the Future of Europe. It is a debate in which the Government is a fully active participant.
In the first phase of its work, roughly from February until the summer, the convention broadly examined the challenges facing Europe, in particular those issues identified in the Laeken Declaration under which it was established. A second phase, from the summer until now, saw working groups examine specific areas in close detail with a view to making recommendations. Some of these groups covered broad policy areas, including external actions, freedom, security and justice and economic governance. Others addressed highly technical questions including legal personality, complementary competencies and the simplification of instruments and procedures. As ten of the 11 working groups have finished their work, this phase is now drawing to a close. The newly constituted Working Group on Social Europe, of which the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, is a member, is to report by the end of January.
During the third phase of the convention's work, from the new year until the early summer when it is expected to report, the Presidium will bring forward detailed texts for discussion. These will reflect the recommendations of the working groups and the views expressed in plenary session. There will also be debate on institutional questions. Taken together, this work will form the basis of the convention's final report.
We have already received from the Presidium its thoughts on what the overall shape of the convention's outcome should be. At the end of October, it brought forward a skeleton draft treaty, which was essentially a list of headings. This proposed a single treaty – as opposed to the current multiplicity of texts – reflecting a single legal personality. It proposed a structure under which broad principles, aims and objectives of the Union would be set out in a first part, with detail on the operation of the various policy areas in a separate second part. As I said at the time, while much detail remains to be added, this is a sensible approach which should make the treaties more legible and accessible.
We have also recently seen papers published by the Commission and by the Benelux countries – Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg – setting out their thinking on institutional matters. I agree with the Commission's contention that we need to strengthen all of the institutions, preserving the existing balances between them, while preparing them for the challenges ahead. I found the Commission's proposals on some of the institutional questions particularly interesting and creative. The Benelux paper is also of great interest and I expect that we will be in a position to support many of the proposals it makes.
While, under the treaties, it is for the Intergovernmental Conference to take final decisions, there can be little doubt that the outcome of the convention's work will be highly influential. It has gained momentum in recent times and is going about its work with great purpose. The Government is, therefore, continuing to approach it very seriously.
The Government has already set out our broad thinking on the principles which should shape and underpin Europe's future. I will shortly be setting out the Government's thinking on the broad range of issues arising in the convention in greater detail. In doing so, I will be drawing together the threads of work already under way. We do not, however, intend to publish a White Paper at this time. Debate in the convention is fluid and fast-moving and does not readily lend itself to such an approach. We are continuing to make submissions to its work. We are making detailed proposals on the issues being examined, expressing concerns and setting out firm positions where these are appropriate, and generally contributing in a positive and constructive way to shaping the convention's agenda. This is the most effective way to advance Ireland's interests.
There is, of course, a great deal of the convention's work which takes place away from its working groups and from the floor of the plenary. There is extensive networking in the margins and in bilateral and other meetings at European level. The Taoiseach, Deputy Roche, the Government's representative and I have availed of every opportunity to build alliances and to advance Ireland's interests in all such meetings. One regular forum is a dinner, during convention plenaries, attended by representatives of many of the smaller member states. The most recent of these was hosted by Greece. Ireland will host a similar occasion in January. I am sure that the House will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail on discussions that take place at private meetings.
I pay warm tribute to the work of the Irish representatives who are doing important and valuable work. We are fully committed to working together to achieve the best outcome possible for Ireland.
