Written Answers - European Union Issues.
Brian O'Shea
Ceist:
142
Mr. O'Shea
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
his views on the work to date of the Convention on the Future of Europe; the input of the Government in the work of the Convention; his views on the draft sections published to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6427/03]
Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:
150
Ms O'Sullivan
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will make a statement on his recent address to the Institute of European Affairs.
[6430/03]
Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:
157
Ms O'Sullivan
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
his views on the proposed incorporation of the European Union's Charter of Fundamental Rights into a new EU treaty; if the application of the charter will have the backing of Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6429/03]
Eamon Ryan
Ceist:
162
Mr. Eamon Ryan
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the reason the Government favours incorporating the Charter of Fundamental Rights into the new EU Constitution by way of a protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6528/03]
Ciarán Cuffe
Ceist:
179
Mr. Cuffe
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the amendments put down by the Government to the EU's constitutional treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6527/03]
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:
185
Mr. Kehoe
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the role which the Government sees national parliaments have played in an expanded European Union.
[6562/03]
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:
197
Mr. Kehoe
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the Government's views on the incorporation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights into EU treaties.
[6561/03]
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:
204
Mr. G. Mitchell
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the Government's priorities in relation to the Convention on the Future of Europe.
[6535/03]
Bernard Allen
Ceist:
208
Mr. Allen
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
when he envisages that the next treaty on the EU will be agreed by member states.
[6558/03]
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:
210
Mr. Connaughton
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the Government's plans to ensure that the people of Ireland are informed and involved in the debate on the future of the European Union leading to the revision of the current treaties in 2004.
[6565/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 142, 150, 157, 162, 179, 185, 197, 204, 208, and 210 together.
Since Christmas, the European Convention has entered a new, more detailed phase of its work. Now that all of the 11 working groups, established to examine particular issues in detail, have reported, the praesidium has begun to circulate draft articles for inclusion in a new constitutional treaty. These flesh out the skel eton treaty brought forward by the praesidium last October.
Drafts of articles 1 to 16, which establish the Union, describe its values and objectives and address questions of rights and competences, were published by the praesidium on 6 February and debated at the plenary meeting of 27 and 28 February. Through our representative at the Convention, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Roche, a number of amendments were tabled, generally aimed at bringing greater precision and clarity to the texts. We made it clear that our views were necessarily initial ones and that it would not be possible to reach more definitive positions on the issues involved until drafts of all elements of the treaty – especially of part two which will set out the detail of the various policy areas – have been circulated and considered.
Drafts of articles 24-33, which set out the Union's legal instruments and procedures, along with draft protocols on the role of national parliaments and on subsidiarity were published by the praesidium on 27 February. Proposed amendments are to be forwarded to the Convention's secretariat by 8 March. Work is continuing involving the relevant Departments to prepare our input.
Throughout the work of the Convention, the Government has stressed its view that national parliaments have a critical role to play in the democratic life of the Union. This is most importantly done through holding national Governments to account. I pay tribute to those Members of the House who, through the Joint Committee on European Affairs and other relevant committees, have helped get the new arrangements for Oireachtas scrutiny of EU business off to such a positive and constructive start. The role of national parliaments does not stop there. I strongly support the proposal that they act as a watchdog over application of the principle of subsidiarity, which is reflected in the draft protocols brought forward by the praesidium. Ireland has also suggested that they could play a role in the appointment of the President of the Commission through participation in an electoral college.
The Government strongly supported promulgation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights as a political declaration at Nice in December 2000. It is entirely appropriate that the values and principles that underpin the work of the Union be set out in a clear, comprehensive and comprehensible way. The question being asked of the Convention is whether the charter should be incorporated into the new treaty, the fundamental law of the Union. The Government is giving very careful consideration to the issues involved. We recognise that important work has been done at the Convention to bring greater clarity and certainty to the clauses of the charter which delimit its scope and application. The charter is not intended as a vehicle to extend Union competence into areas where it does not have auth ority to act. It would also be helpful for the important commentary produced by the praesidium on the charter convention to be given due recognition. If the charter is to be incorporated, therefore, I believe it would best be placed in a protocol attached to the new treaty.
In reaching a final view on the charter's status, the Government will be pragmatic, reasonable and conscious of the need to achieve consensus. We will also bear carefully in mind the expectation citizens now rightly have that institutions, whether it be their own Governments or the European Union, should be held to account for how they promote and vindicate fundamental rights. The Government has set out its broad approach to the Convention on a number of occasions, including in my address to the Institute of European Affairs in January. We hope that the process which is begun at the Convention and which will be concluded at the inter governmental conference will result in a simplified treaty which is more legible and accessible for our citizens. The process should also ensure that the Union's institutions are as efficient and effective as possible, taking account of the changing environment in which they operate. The Government is prepared to approach institutional questions in a forward-thinking manner, so long as the important balances between the various institutions of the Union and between the member states are properly respected. We would also support a simplification of the instruments and procedures available to the Union, although, as I have said before, it is also important that, where necessary, particular arrangements continue to apply in exceptionally sensitive areas. For example, while we could support the extension of QMV to new areas on a case by case basis, it is our strong view that unanimity must continue to apply in areas including taxation and some aspects of JHA issues.
The European Council has asked that the Convention bring forward its recommendations to its meeting in Thessaloniki in June. The work will then be taken forward by the Governments in an Intergovernmental Conference. While it is not yet clear when the Intergovernmental Conference will complete its work – clearly, this will very much depend on the nature of the Convention's recommendations – it has been agreed by the European Council that a new treaty will not be signed until after the ten countries which will sign an accession treaty with the EU in April of this year, become full members on 1 May 2004 during Ireland's Presidency. It is important that the public is informed of and involved in the debate on the future of Europe. The National Forum on Europe is continuing to play a very valuable role and has recently launched a further round of meetings dedicated to exploring the issues being considered at the Convention. I understand that it intends to hold 13 meetings between now and June, visiting various venues outside Dublin. I also commend the work of the Joint Committee on European Affairs which is following the work of the Convention in a close and active way. Through the Communicating Europe initiative, my Department has recently co-funded a video of the work of the Convention, primarily aimed at transition year students. Arrangements for keeping the public informed and involved will be kept under review as the process evolves.
