Ireland and the European Union: Identifying Priorities and Pursuing Goals

Foreword

Membership of the European Union has been and continues to be of enormous importance and benefit to Ireland. It has enabled this country to help shape the development of Europe and to achieve levels of economic and social developmentwhich were unimaginable thirty years ago. To ensure that we continue to reap these benefits, Ireland must remain a fully engaged and committed member of the European Union. Our opting out of Europe would not divert the European Union from its course, but it would damage and limit Ireland's ability to influence the EU's future direction.

One of the clear lessons of recent times is that we in Government and all those who support our fully committed membership of the European Union, are not succeeding in effectively engaging the public on European Union related issues generally.

This publication, Ireland and the European Union:Identifying Priorities and Pursuing Goals is offered as just one step in the Government's efforts to better inform the public of Ireland's policy in relation to the European Union. It shows the range and breadth of Ireland's involvement in the European Union. At any given time Ireland will be involved in constant negotiations to protect and promote our interests, as well as to promote our vision of Europe's future. It is planned, therefore, to update and reissue this publication on a regular basis.

Of course, the Government has also been working to directly address the concerns expressed during the campaign on the Nice Treaty. The National Forum on Europe has been meeting since last October and has been examining the full range of issues. A system of enhanced Oireachtas scrutiny of European Union affairs is being introduced.

In addition, in the ongoing debate on the Future of Europe, Ireland will be advocating and supporting measures that will bring the EU closer to the citizen.

The Government will be seeking a Declaration at the Seville European Council confirming that Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality is not affected by the Treaties. Subject to a suitable Declaration being agreed, it is intended to hold a second referendum on the Nice Treaty in the autumn of this year.

The forthcoming referendum will pose a critical question to the Irish people. My own view and theview of my Government is that Ireland's businesses, employees, farmers and fishermen can ill afford the diminished influence which a permanent Irish veto on Nice will inevitably bring.

It is essential, when making the choice, that thepeople consider Ireland's relationship with the EU in its totality. This publication will, I hope, go some way in helping them to do so.

Bertie Ahern
Taoiseach
April 2002   

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