EU role debate must not stop, warns Hayes

The passing of the Nice Treaty should not signal the end of the debate on the country's role in the EU, the head of Ireland's European think-tank said yesterday.

Politicians must keep on consulting with ordinary people on the future direction of the European Union, according to National Forum on Europe chairman Senator Maurice Hayes.

Just because Nice is decided, the debate on Europe should not be truncated or abandoned, Senator Hayes said.

The next EU Treaty, due to be agreed in 2004, will be far more important than Nice for deciding how

Europe will be governed, he warned.

"We now have probably the most informed electorate in Europe and the one most engaged in the debate on issues which are currently being debated in Brussels by the Convention on the Future of Europe," said Senator Hayes.

The second referendum showed the importance of engaging public interest in campaign issues, Senator Hayes said.

"That way, people are energised to come out to vote; young people, in particular, whose future it is, are sufficiently concerned to take ownership of the European institutions and some responsibility for the decisions they make."

The higher turnout validated the Forum's decision to bring the European debate around the country in the past year to 23 different locations for 45 meetings, Senator Hayes said.

But it was important the debate in Ireland is maintained and the politicians keep faith with the people by consulting them while options are still open, he added.

The Taoiseach praised the role of the Forum on Europe in informing people on the issues being decided by the Nice Treaty.

The forum's work will continue into next year and will pick up on the debate in the Convention.

The meetings will allow ordinary people to question Irish representatives to the Convention.

Meanwhile, European Union foreign ministers will discuss the financing of enlargement of the EU over the next few days following the passing of the referendum. The discussions are being held ahead of a weekend summit in Brussels where the details of enlargement will be considered.