Labour's former president, Mr Proinsias de Rossa, has criticised certain party members for their commitment to Ireland's national veto in European relations.
Some in Labour had an "unthinking" commitment to the veto, Mr de Rossa said during a debate on Europe. He said the veto had been used in the past to block badly needed social progress in the EU.
The Dublin MEP said that the new EU treaty being discussed by the Convention on the Future of Europe must extend qualified majority voting and co-decision between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.
He added: "An essential aspect of community method resides in the acceptance of political responsibility by every member-state for joint decisions and their implementation. We should hear no more whinging from Fianna Fáil and the PDs about the implementation of European decisions, which they have themselves already agreed to."
The former party leader, Mr Ruairí Quinn, said a strong unified and effective EU was more necessary than ever "in a world of a globalised economy and uncertain security".
The creation of the EU meant that the parents of young men did not have to worry that they would be sent to fight wars for other people, he said.
Bacik to seek nomination for EU poll
The academic lawyer, Ms Ivana Bacik, confirmed yesterday that she would seek a nomination to run for Labour in the European elections next year. Ms Bacik, who is Reid Professor of Criminal Law in Trinity College, Dublin, said she had been asked by individuals at various levels of the party to put her name forward.
If selected, she will run in the Dublin constituency alongside the sitting MEP Mr Proinsias de Rossa.