Opponents systematically misrepresent Amsterdam Treaty - Andrews

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Opponents systematically misrepresent Amsterdam Treaty - Andrews

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr David Andrews T.D., has said that "the main barrier to public understanding of the Amsterdam Treaty has been systematic misinformation about it from some of its opponents. It does not help public comprehension or debate when entirely ill-founded allegations are made about the Treaty which bear no relation to its contents."

Mr Andrews explained that the Treaty was "a measured response to the very real challenges faced by the European Union. It is not revolutionary. It will not, of itself, change the face of Europe. However, it is an entirely necessary element in making it possible for the European Union to continue to serve as a force for prosperity and stability - for its own people; for the people elsewhere in Europe who now wish to join us in building a common future together; and for the wider world."

In a speech to an ICTU Conference on the Amsterdam Treaty, Mr Andrews highlighted two things the Treaty will do and two things it will not do.

"Firstly, it will enable the Union to address more effectively the direct concerns of its citizens." This relates to the Treaty's focus on more effective coordination at the level of the Union in the fight against unemployment, the social dimension, the fight against crime, consumer protection, the environment and public health.

Secondly, "the Treaty of Amsterdam will equip the Union to function more effectively both internally and externally. The decision-making mechanisms of the Union will be streamlined in many respects and made more democratic." This involves a number of measures including limited extension of qualified majority voting, and strengthening the role of the European Parliament.

Moving on to what the Treaty of Amsterdam will not do, Mr Andrews stressed that "it will not affect Irish neutrality. The Treaty explicitly states that EU policy shall not prejudice the

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specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States. This reference was originally inserted in the Maastricht Treaty to take account of Ireland's policy of military neutrality. Successive Governments have made clear that, if ever the issue of an EU common defence were to arise in the future, it would be put to the Irish people for their decision in a referendum."

"The Treaty will not affect the essential balances between the European institutions or between the Member States within those institutions. The central role of the European Commission has been preserved and the right of each Member State to nominate a full Member of the Commission has been retained."

In his Conference address, Mr Andrews highlighted the European dimension to the Good Friday Agreement. "The complex web of relationships which lies at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement is set in the creative context of our shared membership of the European Union. The Union, which brings together "peoples long divided by bloody conflicts", illustrates the possibilities for reconciling ancient differences.

The Union's institutional arrangements help to provide the model for blending different histories into a shared future. The practical and continuing support of the European Union for the peace process, recently confirmed by the European Commission, by the European Parliament and by our partners at the General Affairs Council, is an eloquent demonstration of the future which we are building together."Top