Euro forum hits the road

The Government’s bid to explain the meaning of the European Union was taking to the road today.

The National Forum for Europe, until now restricted to a venue in Dublin Castle, will hold a month-long series of meetings to debate Europe, involving both pro-Europe government and opposition parties and groups not in favour of many of the community’s ideas and ideals.

The forum was established by the Government last year following the shock referendum rejection of the Treaty of Nice, which would have paved the way to the enlargement of the EU through the recruitment of former Eastern bloc states and also related to a number of other issues.

A spokesman for the forum said: ‘‘These meetings will offer the public a chance of contributing to the on-going debate on Ireland’s role in an enlarging European Union and the issues arising in the future of Europe debate.

Chairman Maurice Hayes added: ‘‘This is a unique opportunity for the public to have their views heard on a whole range of issues relating to our membership of the EU.

‘‘I would encourage everyone whose life is affected by Europe - and that means everyone - to seriously engage in this process, and to encourage their friends and neighbours to come along too.’’

Bertie Ahern leads senior politicians getting involved in the sequence of meetings, joining a session in north Dublin at the end of January.

Other figures taking part include John Hume, former leader of the SDLP, Foreign Minister Brian Cowen, Labour Party deputy leader Brendan Howlin, Green Party leader Trevor Sargent, and the sole Sinn Fein member of the Dáil, Caoimhghin O'Caolain.

The venues for the meetings are: Waterford, Tullamore, Co Offaly, Limerick, Athlone, Co Westmeath, Donegal, Monaghan and Dublin.