Good audiences are attending the debates on the Amsterdam Treaty which take place each Friday in the European Parliament Conference Room at 43 Molesworth Street. The series of debates is organised by the European Commission Representation, with the aim of raising public awareness of the issues.
Well-known speakers "for" and "against" are given 10 minutes each to make their cases, and the debate is then thrown open to the floor. The debates last from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. precisely, and coffee and sandwiches are provided beforehand.
Yesterday's debate on police and judicial co-operation was preceded by debates on the common foreign and security policy (February 13th), and employment and social policy (February 20th). On Friday March 6th the topic will be Amsterdam and the citizen (Michael McDowell SC and Patricia McKenna MEP). On March 13th the topic will be EU institutions, with Proinsias De Rossa TD and a speaker against.
Finally, the Taoiseach will address the closing meeting on Friday March 20th.