The Florence European Council in June requested the Irish Presidency to prepare a "general outline for a draft revision of the Treaties" for consideration by Heads of State or Government at the European Council in Dublin on 13 and 14 December 1996. As the Deputy is aware, the Presidency last week produced an outline draft treaty reflecting months of intensive negotiations. A copy has been sent to the Oireachtas Library.
The outline draft treaty focuses among other things on enhancing the Union's external action. It recognises that, despite the fact it is the world's largest trading entity, the European Union is not as effective as it should be in using its diplomatic influence and economic capacity in relations with third countries and in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the world. The outline draft treaty makes a number of proposals which are designed to enhance the effectiveness and coherence of the Union's external action. The detailed proposals in the document concern both the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the external economic relations of the Union.