Written Answers. - Convention on the Future of Europe.
Joe Costello
Ceist:
11
Mr. Costello
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the matters discussed during his meeting with the President of the Convention on the Future of Europe, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, in April 2003; if the comments attributed to him after the meeting represent a change in the position of the Government on the use of the veto in regard to areas of EU foreign policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14745/03]
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:
70
Mr. Broughan
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent EU summit in Athens.
[14740/03]
Joe Costello
Ceist:
82
Mr. Costello
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; if the report of the Convention is expected to be considered at the Thessalonika summit or if a special EU summit will be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14744/03]
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:
102
Mr. Gilmore
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
when he expects the Government will conclude its consideration of the proposed incorporation of the European Union's Charter of Fundamental Rights into a new EU treaty; if the application of the Charter will now have the backing of Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14746/03]
John Gormley
Ceist:
152
Mr. Gormley
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the Government's views on the provisions in the draft EU constitution; the timetable for adoption of such a constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15113/03]
John Gormley
Ceist:
153
Mr. Gormley
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the Government's views towards changes being proposed in the draft EU constitution regarding the EU Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15114/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 70, 82, 102, 152 and 153 together.
As Deputies will be aware, the European Convention is entering into the final phase of its work. This week, the praesidium published its revised draft of the new treaty and there will now be a period of intense activity, including three meetings at plenary level, before the convention presents its final report to the European Council at Thessaloniki on 20 June. Its recommendations will be considered by Governments in an Intergovernmental Conference, due to begin its work later in the year, where final decisions will fall to be taken. It will then be for each member state to ratify the new treaty according to its own constitutional requirements, a process that normally takes about two years.
There are many welcome aspects to the praesidium's proposals. The draft text reflects the consensus in favour of a single, simplified treaty structure which should make the Union's basic legal document more accessible to our citizens. In setting out the nature, values and objectives of the Union, the text achieves an admirable clarity. While they require a certain amount of fine-tuning, the draft articles on the distribution of competence between the Union and the member states should also contribute towards greater understanding of who does what and at what level. The clear statement that the Union exercises only those competencies explicitly conferred upon it by the member states – and its corollary, that competence that has not been conferred remains with member states – is particularly welcome.
Progress has also been made on a range of other important issues, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights. While the Government will not reach a final decision on whether to support incorporation until the full and final package is available, the significant work carried out at the convention makes achievement of a consensus in this matter significantly more likely. Should a decision be reached in favour of its incorporation, the charter will apply to the Union's institutions and to the member states, including Ireland, only when they are implementing Union law.
There are, of course, other areas where greater progress will be required if consensus is to be reached at the convention.
On institutional matters, in bringing forward unamended texts, the praesidium has rightly pointed towards the need for greater discussion and thought on these subjects. There is a considerable degree of common ground, particularly among smaller member states, on the need to retain proper balance between the institutions and on the continuing requirement for equality, particularly as regards membership of the Commission. Institutional matters were discussed at the informal European Council meeting in Athens, on which I reported to the House on 8 May.
On the common foreign and security policy, it is clear that as we move towards 25 member states, consideration needs to be given to maintaining and improving the capacity of the Union to make decisions. Decision-making by QMV is already possible in this area, for example when implementing common strategies. As I have said before, I will look constructively at proposals to extend its use if the necessary safeguards to respect the values and traditions of the member states are in place, and if such proposals will help bring about an enhanced EU contribution on the international scene. The existing provisions under which member states can protect vital national interests when a decision is being taken by QMV should, of course, continue to apply.
We would also wish to see further work carried out on the draft articles on defence, on which I am answering other specific questions today. This is, undoubtedly, one of the most sensitive issues being discussed at the convention and it is important that we get these articles right. I should add that there is no question of any extension of QMV to defence matters. We also remain firm in our view that unanimity must be retained for decisions on tax.
The Government has been very active in advancing its case at the Convention and in related meetings, including that with the president of the convention, Mr. Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. The Taoiseach, the Minister of State for European Affairs and I have availed of every appropriate opportunity to raise key interests and concerns with our current and future partners. I am pleased that many of our concerns have been reflected in the new text published by the praesidium this week and that several of our amendments have been accepted. I can assure the House that we will continue to engage actively and purposefully in the final stages of the convention and in the Intergovernmental Conference.
