Ireland signs Nice Treaty

Ireland has formally committed itself to the Treaty of Nice, which will govern the future enlargement of the European Union.

Foreign Minister Brian Cowen signed the Treaty on behalf of the Government in the southern French city this evening.

The treaty covers a range of issues including enlargement, voting rights for member states and the future of the European Parliament.

It guarantees small countries like Ireland the right to nominate a commissioner until the Union reaches 27 members.

After this point, commissioners will rotate among member states.

Ireland will also continue to hold the same voting rights, although when the 27-member mark is reached, our allocation of MEPs will be reduced from 15 to 12.

While we have signed the treaty, a legal inquiry is underway to see if a referendum must be held for it to be ratified.

The treaty will only come into effect if ratified by all 15-member states, and it is hoped that will be accomplished by 2002.