Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 6

Written Answers. - Possibility of Two-Tier Europe.

Noel Davern

Ceist:

45 Mr. Davern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the possibility of a two-tier Europe after 1997; and the proposals, if any, he has to change the growing attitude of the French Presidency in relation to the eligibility of Ireland for the first tier. [3886/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Ireland, in its approach to the European Union, has opposed the creation of an exclusive "inner core" group of member states. Ideally, we also favour a single-speed approach to European integration. However, we have in the past accepted a multi-speed approach in certain limited areas, as for example in the provisions in the Treaty on European Union relating to economic and monetary union.

At the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference Ireland would not favour agreement on any arrangements which might lead to fragmentation of the Union. Therefore, we would not wish to see the Treaty amended to allow for the emergence of an inner core from which other member states would be excluded.

France has not yet put forward concrete proposals about the type of treaty changes it would like to see at the Intergovernmental Conference and certainly has not suggested the exclusion of Ireland from any first tier.

The process for the preparation of the Intergovernmental Conference will be a lengthy one. The first step which is under way is the drawing up of reports by the Council, Commission and Parliament on the functioning of the Maastricht Treaty. This will be followed by preparatory work to be undertaken by a Reflection Group on which Ireland will be represented by the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Gay Mitchell.

It is far too early to say precisely what proposals will be on the table of the Intergovernmental Conference. However, Ireland has a fundamental interest in contributing to the success of the Intergovernmental Conference. We will make a constructive contribution to its preparation and conduct, notably when it falls to us to chair the Intergovernmental Conference during the second half of 1996.