It’s time to stand by our constitution

IT is time that the main political parties stated their position on the EU draft constitution, especially in view of the recent meeting of candidate countries in Prague.

Reports that Dick Roche, Ireland's representative in the constitution talks, would not raise any of Ireland's concerns about the document cast a cloud over the whole process. It was also a missed opportunity unambiguously to uphold and defend our constitutional position.

We must guard against accepting a draft document without any reservations, input or balanced views. It is painfully clear that we are on the road to an EU constitution which will supersede our own.