Convention on the Future of Europe: Statements
Dr. Henry: I thank the Leader for bringing the Minister of State here today. Senator Ormonde is right to congratulate him on his hard work. However, I do not know if the job is difficult for him because I have not seen a person better suited to a job or enjoying it more.
Mr. Bradford: That is not allowed.
Dr. Henry: I am delighted the Minister of State is representing us at the Convention. It is good to see someone doing something for which he has such enthusiasm. He has always expressed great enthusiasm for any projects related to Europe.
Senator Bradford is right that our attitudes have changed and expanded during the years we have been members of the EEC and then the European Union. However, we got a nasty shock last year when we, as politicians, did not put enough work into explaining what the first Nice treaty referendum meant. Much work had to be put into the second referendum. As other Senators, particularly Senator Ormonde, said, we want to be ready to explain everything about the Convention. I compliment Senator Maurice Hayes on the way he runs the Forum on Europe which both Senator Quinn and I attend. It is making a huge difference in ensuring the public is involved in the issue. Mr. Proinsias De Rossa said last week that the Seanad was the first House of any Parliament in Europe to address the issue.
The Minister of State said that it looked like there would be a longer lead-in time than was previously envisaged before the Convention became de facto legislation. Does he think the current problems and divisions within the European Union regarding Iraq will make the situation more difficult? It looks like President Bush is determined to go to war, regardless of what we do. That could prolong matters further because we do not know what it will lead to. That is sad. I hope the Minister of State and those working with him will do their utmost to keep the progress being made on track.
I am taken by the Minister of State's idea about the election of the president of the Council. No matter what way it is managed, it is important that each country acts simultaneously. There is tremendous cohesion and strength when something like that happens. The marches all over the world, but particularly throughout Europe, against the war in Iraq gave a great sense of belonging and the importance of being part of the European movement. When I remarked to someone that I thought the march in Paris would have been larger than 500,000, I was told that it was the first time the French had ever marched for anything in their Government's favour. It is quite incredible that they always march against but never in favour of the Government.
The Minister of State is rightly keeping a close eye on the situation regarding the smaller states, the power of which people underestimate. They have the notion that the bigger states call all the shots but that is not so. The smaller states have a great deal of power. I am delighted to see the Minister of State discussing issues regarding good governance with the Swedish and Finnish Governments. There is a Bill now before the House, the title of which, I am sorry to say, we barely dare speak, that has nothing to do with transparency and openness. It must be a little awkward for the Minister of State to go back and discuss with these open people what is happening here.
Mr. Dardis: The Presidium does not meet in the open.
Dr. Henry: It would be better if we maintained openness and transparency rather than pulling down the shutters.
What is the Minister of State doing about the rights of children? I have been getting fan mail asking me to suggest he change the attitude in his amendment regarding removal of the phrase "the rights of children". Apparently, this will now be amended to read "the rights of human beings". The rights of women were enhanced by our entry into the European Union while we are signatories to the European Convention on the Rights of the Child. Why would we want to remove any phrase to do with the rights of the child? I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's explanation.
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