I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 42, 48, 64, 84, 97, 131 and 135 together.
For my general assessment of the situation in the Intergovernmental Conference, I refer Deputies to my reply to Question No. 5.
A major outstanding question in the IGC is the definition of qualified majority voting. A wide range of proposals has been put forward on this issue from member states and third parties, including that advanced by the de Borda Institute, on a preference voting system for the Council of Ministers. In our Presidency report to the European Council, we made clear our belief "that a solution, if it is to command consensus, must be based on the principle of double majority, must allow for greater efficiency in decision-making than the provisions in the current Treaties, and must have due regard to balance among all Member States and to their specific concerns."
As a participant in the IGC, the Government has, with a small number of other member states, supported the retention of unanimity in decision-making on international agreements under the Common Commercial Policy in the areas of health, education and social services. The draft constitutional treaty as it stands provides for unanimity in respect of culture and audio-visual services. As Presidency, it is our task to seek to achieve an overall balanced outcome which is acceptable to all member states.
The Government is aware of the views expressed by the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions on the rights of those living in offshore and remote locations. The draft constitutional treaty includes a number of provisions both of a general and specific nature that can help address the concerns expressed. In particular Article III-116, which deals with economic, social and territorial cohesion, states that: "the Union shall aim at reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions or islands, including rural areas".
The question of the ratification of the constitutional treaty will be for each member state to decide in accordance with its constitutional requirements. In the case of Ireland, I expect that ratification of the constitutional treaty will require a referendum.
My strong view is that as the European Union continues to enlarge, moving forward together is the best way for Europe to advance. This view is widely shared across the Union and is reflected both in the positive outcome of the European Council and in the collegiate spirit of that meeting.
As was made clear at the time, the Government had no difficulty with the tripartite summit between France, Germany and the United Kingdom on 18 February. It should be noted that the meeting was not the first such summit between the three states and that there are also a number of other groups of member and accession states that meet on a regular basis. As the Union grows, the importance of such bilateral and multilateral contacts will grow. There is also scope in the treaties for enhanced co-operation among groups of member states. What is important is that the structures and procedures of the Union and the interests of all member states are respected.