Jimmy Deenihan
Question:59 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the future he envisages for the National Forum on Europe. [9954/03]
Written Answers. - National Forum on Europe.
Since it was established in October 2001, the National Forum on Europe has played an important role in ensuring an inclusive and broadly-based debate on Ireland's participation in the European Union, and on the overall functioning and future development of the Union. Over the course of the past 18 months, the forum has actively engaged politicians and the general public both at national and regional levels. It will have conducted 60 meetings in 30 locations throughout the country by this summer. In doing so, the forum has played a significant role in strengthening the public's understanding of Ireland's role in the European Union and of how the Union will function when it grows from 15 to 25 members in May 2004.
To date, the broad themes addressed by the forum have been enlargement, issues arising from the Nice referendum, and the work of the Convention on the Future of Europe. The third report of the chairman of the forum, which covers its work from June 2002 to January 2003, was published last month. In my view the forum, under the capable and independent chairmanship of Senator Maurice Hayes, is continuing to make a very positive contribution to the national debate on the European Union.
The forum is currently focusing on the Convention on the Future of Europe. Tomorrow it will meet in Dublin Castle to discuss the work of the convention working group on the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Further such meetings are planned for the weeks ahead. These meetings, which will take place at a number of different venues, will focus on the issues emerging at the convention which is due to complete its work during the summer.
The Government will be reflecting, in consultation with the chairman of the forum, on its precise role beyond the summer. It will take account of the forum's innovative, important and effective role which indeed is widely regarded as a model of best practice, including in many of the accession countries. The stimulation of informed ongoing public debate about Europe will remain important in the context of the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference and the referendum which seems set to follow.