Phil Hogan
Question:113 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contact he intends having with the African Union during Ireland's upcoming EU Presidency. [21123/03]
Written Answers. - Presidency and African Union.
Promoting the EU-Africa dialogue will be one of the Government's main priorities in the common Foreign and Security Policy area during our forthcoming Presidency. A productive dialogue with the African Union since its formal establishment in July 2002 has already been initiated and was manifest at the meeting of respective EU and African Union ministerial troikas which took place in Maputo last July and where Ireland was represented by my colleague, Minister of State, Deputy Kitt. The Maputo meeting provided an opportunity for the Minister of State and the other members of the EU troika to reaffirm the EU's strong commitment to EU-Africa partnership and its willingness to co-operate with the African Union, especially in the implementation of NEPAD, new partnership for Africa's development. A further ministerial troika meeting with the African Union is scheduled to take place in Rome in November at which Ireland will also be represented. The Deputy will be aware that the political situation in Zimbabwe and the question of possible attendance by representatives of the Mugabe government precluded the holding of the EU-African Union summit originally scheduled for Lisbon last April and following on the initial EU-Africa summit in Cairo in April 2000. The intention however would be for the Lisbon summit to take place as soon as circumstances allow and this was reaffirmed by myself and my colleagues on the General Affairs and External Relations Council in July when we agreed to continue examining "the progress achieved in the framework of the Cairo process with a view to holding the Lisbon summit at the earliest possible date". The possibility therefore cannot be excluded that this second EU-Africa Summit may well take place during our forthcoming EU Presidency.
In addition to ministerial contacts with the African Union, EU Ambassadors in Addis Abada have also been requested to initiate a dialogue with the African Union Secretariat based in that city in order to discuss issues of mutual concern such as peace and security in Africa, human rights/good governance and how to improve African capacity for peace-keeping and conflict resolution. Such contacts will be pursued actively by our Embassy in Addis Ababa during the forthcoming Irish Presidency.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:114 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he expects the negotiations on a new draft EU treaty to conclude during the Irish Presidency of the EU. [21070/03]
Damien English
Question:120 Mr. English asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the British, French and German meetings which may seem to set the agenda for the EU and the upcoming Intergovernmental Conference. [21134/03]
Ciarán Cuffe
Question:128 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the outcome of the meeting of small EU states he attended on the fringes of the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2003 to discuss the draft EU constitution; the agreements which were reached at that meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21146/03]
Simon Coveney
Question:133 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he considers the inter-governmental conference on a constitutional treaty for the EU will commence and finish; and the likely timeframe for the ratification process. [21131/03]
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:144 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the concept of an EU Foreign Minister as proposed in the draft EU constitution; his further views on whether such a post will represent a diminution in his powers and the powers of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21147/03]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:151 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will publish a White Paper, as did the British Government, clearly stating its position on the draft EU constitutional treaty. [21096/03]
Brendan Howlin
Question:167 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he expects the Government will conclude its consideration of the proposed incorporation of the European Union's Charter of Fundamental Rights into a new EU treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21072/03]
Eamon Gilmore
Question:170 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's priorities for the EU Intergovernmental Conference due to open in October 2003 to consider the proposed new EU treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21069/03]
Ciarán Cuffe
Question:174 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the approach which is being taken by the Government towards the Intergovernmental Conference beginning in October 2003; the issues the Government will be highlighting; his views on whether the deliberations will continue into the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21145/03]
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:182 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's position on the common foreign and security policy and common defence provisions of the draft EU constitutional treaty; and the measures the Government negotiators will take at the Intergovernmental Conference to safeguard Irish foreign policy, independence and neutrality. [21094/03]
Simon Coveney
Question:199 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is intended that Irish neutrality be ended in the context of the upcoming Intergovernmental Conference on a constitutional treaty for the EU. [21132/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:239 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his proposals for the ratification of the next EU treaty or other issues arising from the 2004 Intergovernmental Conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21448/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 120, 128, 133, 144, 151, 167, 170, 174, 182, 199 and 239 together.
The Intergovernmental Conference, which will consider the draft text brought forward by the European Convention, will formally begin its work on Saturday. The Presidency has made clear its strong wish to see the Intergovernmental Conference conclude its work as quickly as possible and is aiming to reach overall agreement in December. This is undoubtedly an ambitious timetable. The Government has made clear its full support for the Presidency approach but has said that, should it not prove possible to conclude the work of the Intergovernmental Conference before the end of the year, we will be pleased to take it forward during the Irish Presidency.
The European Council meeting at Thessaloniki in June agreed that work on the draft constitutional treaty, which will be signed after new member states join on 1 May, should be finished as soon as possible and in time for it to become known to citizens ahead of the European Parliament elections in June. Once agreement is reached, it will be for each member state to ratify the new treaty according to its constitutional requirements. While no timeframe has been fixed for this process, it usually takes about two years.
The Government believes that the overwhelming bulk of the convention text should stand. The convention did excellent work in simplifying and clarifying the Union's basic legal texts. As a result, citizens should find the new treaty considerably more accessible. It has also brought greater clarity to the question of competence – who does what and at what level. There are, however, aspects of the convention's draft which require further work.
We wish to see unanimity continue to apply in those areas of taxation for which the Union has competence. The Government is strongly supportive of greater co-operation within the Union in combating serious and cross-border crime. Drawing on the valuable report prepared by the working group chaired by Deputy John Bruton, the convention did important work in this area. However, we need to ensure that Ireland's distinctive legal tradition is fully safeguarded under any new arrangements. We will be pursuing this matter at the Intergovernmental Conference.
In the area of defence, we need to ensure not only that the different positions and approaches of member states are fully protected, but also that arrangements are such as to ensure that the Union can act coherently and effectively as a force for good in the world. This is an area to which the Intergovernmental Conference will return. The Government will ensure that Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality is maintained. Bunreacht na hÉireann clearly provides that Ireland cannot become involved in an EU common defence without a referendum. That protection will remain in place.
The convention's recommendations on institutional matters struck a reasonable overall balance. There are, however, aspects of the arrangements which need to be fleshed out further. In this regard, the Intergovernmental Conference will consider arrangements for the Commission; arrangements for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers; and the role of the new Union Minister for Foreign Affairs.
On the question of the new Foreign Minister, it is important that the Union's external actions – from trade, to development co-operation to foreign policy – be as effective and coherent as possible. The Union needs to be able to speak externally with a single authoritative voice. I therefore welcome the creation of the post, which draws together the work of the External Relations Commissioner and the Council's CFSP High Representative. The convention's proposal does not alter the balance between the Union and the member states and will be fully consistent with the conduct of Ireland's external relations.
On the Charter of Fundamental Rights, excellent work was done at the convention. The Government is satisfied that greater legal certainty and clarity as to its scope and application have been achieved. We will consider the outcome of the Intergovernmental Conference as an overall package. However, significant and very positive progress has been made in this area.
We have made our positions across the range of issues clear to partners in various meetings and contacts. The recent meeting of 20 small and medium sized partners which I attended in New York was an opportunity to share thinking, particularly in relation to institutional matters where a considerable degree of common ground exists. Naturally, other member states – including France, Germany and the UK – are also engaged in contacts with each other and with us. While these meetings are important and valuable, real negotiations will take place in the Intergovernmental Conference where decisions will fall to be taken.
In keeping with the practice of successive Governments, the Government does not intend to publish a White Paper ahead of the Intergovernmental Conference. However, my Department will shortly bring forward a short explanatory guide setting out the main aspects of the convention's draft and explaining the issues involved. This will be circulated to all Deputies and will, I hope, help to foster debate both inside this House and elsewhere.