Vol. 573 No. 3
286 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position of the Government with regard to abortion and euthanasia in the context of the Intergovernmental Conference on the draft treaty establishing a constitution for Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24971/03]
The draft constitutional treaty proposes no changes to the existing situation whereby the European Union has no competence in the areas of abortion or euthanasia. These are matters that will remain entirely for member states to decide.
In so far as Ireland's existing protocol on Article 40.3.3º of Bunreacht na hÉireann, which is attached to the Treaty on European Union, and the related solemn declaration are concerned, the Government is working to ensure that these are carried forward into the new constitutional treaty.
