EU Constitution.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2005

Tuesday, 8 March 2005

Ceisteanna (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

66 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the new EU constitution will be put to referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7596/05]

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

81 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on recent Eurobarometer reports that public awareness of the EU constitution is worryingly low here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7633/05]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

108 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans for a major public information campaign in advance of a referendum on the EU constitution; if he will consider sending a copy of the draft constitution to every home in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7695/05]

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

130 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions he will take to raise the profile of the European Union within Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7617/05]

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

133 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of countries within the European Union that will put the EU constitution to public referendum; if he has held consultations with his counterparts in these countries with regard to the timing of referenda on the constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7611/05]

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

134 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has held discussions with his Spanish counterpart with regard to the recent referendum on the EU constitution held in that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7625/05]

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

160 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the outcome of the recent referendum on the EU constitution in Spain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7697/05]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

163 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a recent Eurobarometer study which shows that while voters here are generally supportive of the EU, they are also hesitant with regard to the proposed EU constitution; his views on the consequences this may have for a future referendum on the constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7696/05]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 81, 108, 130, 133, 134, 160 and 163 together.

I refer the Deputies to my reply to Question No. 58, in which I set out the Government's approach to the referendum on the European constitution.

I had an opportunity to congratulate my Spanish colleague in Brussels the day after the Spanish referendum. The successful result, which saw a 77% vote in favour of the constitution, was an excellent start to the round of the referendums to come. While the exact situation is not clear in all member states, it currently seems that between nine and 11 member states will seek to ratify the constitution via a referendum. Three member states — Lithuania, Hungary and Slovenia — have already ratified the constitution via parliamentary procedure.

We regularly exchange information with our partners on the ratification process and our embassies also report regularly. However, there is no formal co-ordination arrangement. It is for each member state to decide individually, according to its constitutional requirements and political conditions, how best to proceed.

With regard to the Eurobarometer poll, I share the view that the findings are a cause for some concern. They indicate that there is a knowledge gap with regard to the European constitution, and that is something with which none of us can be pleased. I referred in my earlier reply to the various initiatives which are under way to close that gap. I stress once more the crucial role which political debate has to play in stimulating the media coverage which engages the public. In that regard, Members of this House have a key responsibility.

The question of whether a copy of the European constitution should be sent to every household in the country has been raised. While there is a case for this, I tend to believe that the resources which such an exercise would consume might be more effectively spent on providing clear summary information about the constitution rather than circulating the full document to every household. However, the constitution itself is freely available both in hard copy and electronically. The European Commission has informed my Department that it will supply copies free of charge to those who request them and my Department will also be happy to forward copies on request.

Finally, on raising the profile of Europe in Ireland, over the next period the main focus will inevitably be on the constitution. It will be important, not just for the referendum but for the future, that the public understands the basic future framework of the EU. In my earlier reply I set out the various initiatives which will be taken.

In terms of improving awareness of Europe generally, this is a complex issue, which involves the Government, the EU institutions, the education system, civil society and the media. Many useful measures are in place, including my Department's communicating Europe initiative which supports a range of relevant activities. However, it is clear that there is still a major task ahead of us. This is an issue which affects all member states and which is being actively discussed by European Affairs Ministers, following an initiative taken by the then Minister of State, Deputy Roche, during our Presidency. The European Commission will present a proposed communications strategy to the European Council in June. In the light of these developments, and in particular after the referendum, I intend to encourage further consideration of how to co-ordinate our efforts and make them more effective.