Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:54 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the outcome of the referendum on the Amsterdam Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12097/98]
Written Answers. - Amsterdam Treaty.
In approving the proposed amendments to the Constitution required to ratify the Treaty of Amsterdam, the Irish electorate, for the third time since our accession to the EU, has shown its continued support for keeping Ireland at the forefront of European integration. The people accepted the treaty by a substantial majority and, in my view, did a service to the further integration of Europe and to Ireland's place in Europe. The Treaty of Amsterdam is the next and necessary step in achieving the objectives of all the member states of the European Union to make Europe an area of freedom security and justice and to strengthen the Union's capacity to address those issues which are of most concern to its citizens.