John Gormley

Mr. Gormley: I have two brief questions on the European constitution and I want a “Yes” or “No” answer.  I suppose it is a little like Deputy McDaid at the meeting of the Taoiseach’s parliamentary party last night.  If the Irish people vote against the European constitution, will they be asked to vote a second time on the same question?
 
   An Ceann Comhairle: That does not arise from Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive.
 
   Mr. Gormley: Regarding the European constitution, it does.
 
   An Ceann Comhairle: It does not arise from Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, which really deal with referenda.
 
   Mr. Gormley: This is surely going to be a referendum. (more…)

105. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether funding is now essential for the European Youth Parliament; if such funding will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18228/04]
 
   Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen): The Government attaches great importance to promoting wider public awareness and understanding about the EU, particularly amongst young people, and is aware of the role played by the European Youth Parliament in this regard, in Ireland and in other countries where it is established.  Government funding for EU information initiatives undertaken by NGOs in Ireland is provided through the communicating Europe initiative.  The communicating Europe initiative group, administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs, brings together representatives of the Departments of the Taoiseach and Education and Science, the European Movement Ireland, the Institute for European Affairs and representatives of the European Commission and European Parliament Offices in Ireland.  It invites organisations to apply for funding to implement EU information initiatives.  Under this scheme, the communicating Europe initiative provides funding and support to selected groups and organisations to develop and implement projects aimed at promoting awareness and public discussion about the EU through various initiatives, events and communications media.
  Last year the European Youth Parliament applied for communicating Europe initiative funding for an international session of the parliament which took place in Dublin in July 2003.  However, bearing in mind that the European Youth Parliament received grant funding for the session from the European Commission and that conference facilities were also provided to European Youth Parliament in Dublin Castle free of charge, as well as the wide range of other projects submitted, the communicating Europe initiative group decided not to allocate funding to this event.
  The European Youth Parliament also applied to the communicating Europe initiative in March 2004 for funding for an event which took place in April.  The communicating Europe initiative group will meet in July to review all project proposals recently submitted by groups and organisations, including applications for retrospective funding.  The communicating Europe initiative group continues to encourage and welcome proposals and applications from all groups and organisations for EU information projects.  The group looks forward to working together with groups and organisations over the coming year to develop and implement initiatives aimed at promoting wider public awareness and discussion about the EU and how it impacts on our lives.

62. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence if Ireland has agreed to take part in the newly established EU armaments agency; if so, when this decision was taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17913/04] (more…)

106. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the meeting of Defence Ministers of 17 May 2004 in the framework of the General Affairs and External Relations Council; the subjects discussed and decisions taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17912/04] (more…)

79. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the recent interactions he or his Department has had with Franz Fischler, EU Commissioner, on the subject of rural development. [16835/04] (more…)

Mr. Gormley: What are the perceived military shortfalls in this country as far as the European Union capability improvement chart is concerned?  How much will it cost to make up the shortfall?  In the light of these commitments, is it expected that Ireland will have to increase its defence budget as a percentage of GDP?
  Will the Minister expand on the discussion he has had on Ireland’s relationship with NATO?  Will the expanding relationship with NATO have any effect on our status as a neutral State? (more…)

75. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the measures being put in place to protect citizens of EU accession countries, currently availing of supports, after 1 May 2004. [12095/04]
 
   Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan): I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 75 and 113 together.
  As I outlined to the House during the course of the passage of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004, the Government has decided to restrict access to certain social welfare payments by introducing a “habitual residence condition” as an additional condition to be satisfied by a person claiming a social assistance payment or child benefit.  This is not a transitional measure under the EU accession treaty arrangement but a permanent provision in our social welfare code.  This new condition is designed to safeguard our social welfare system from abuse by restricting access to social assistance and child benefit payments for people from other countries who have little or no connection with Ireland. (more…)

 Mr. Gormley: The constitutional treaty, or new EU constitution as it has become known, is extremely important.  It is historic.  On this side of the House we have complimented the Government for its handling of the treaty and have wished it well in the negotiations.  It seems a breakthrough has been made.  However, we have not had the required debate on the matter in the House.  The Taoiseach told us there are 20 outstanding issues.  We are not clear what they are, though we can guess what some of them are.  For that reason it is wrong that certain parties on this side of the House are limited in what they can say, and in the number of questions we can ask.  We oppose the proposal. (more…)

Mr. Gormley: In regard to a referendum on the new constitution, is it the intention of the Government to be the last country to ratify the new EU constitution, as was the case with the second Nice treaty referendum?
 
   An Ceann Comhairle: That does not arise on the Order of Business.
 
   Mr. Gormley: I would like to know the exact date of publication of the legislation for the referendum.  Will the Tánaiste agree it makes much more sense, as proposed at the convention, to have a Europe-wide referendum on this important new EU constitution?
 
   The Tánaiste: The manner in which different countries ratify treaties of this kind is a matter entirely for themselves.  As the Deputy is aware, in virtually every country it is done by their national Parliaments.  We are unique in putting a referendum to our citizens.  It would be premature to announce when that referendum will be held since the IGC process has not yet been concluded.