Vol. 435 No. 11
39 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposals, if any, he has to influence his EC colleagues towards the concept of full European integration; if he has put forward or will put forward any suggestions which will be complementary to such an objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Treaty on Europen Union, which entered into force on 1 November 1993, represents a significant advance in the direction of European integration. Its provisions include extensive and far reaching measures to bring about further integration in the political, social and economic areas.
The priority now is to implement these provisions. The General Affairs Council on 26 October approved a detailed work programme establishing the legal and practical measures involved.
Ireland is committed to the further development of the European Union. Our approach will be informed by the experience which the Union will gain from the implementation of the Maastricht Treaty and the lessons to be learned from the negotiation of that Treaty. We will continue to play an active and constructive part in the process of European integration, particularly in the context of the Intergovernmental Conference envisaged for 1996.
