Three branches of the EU hierarchy descend on us on Thursday. While the bureaucrats are not coming to moan about the Nice referendum - the visits were pre-planned - they are shocked and sad at the result, aware the decision must be respected, and mindful (as emerged in speeches at the European Parliament this week), to take more account of public opinion, as opposed to forging ahead regardless.
The most important visitor is the President of the Commission, Romano Prodi, but also coming on Thursday are members of the European Central Bank, led by President Wim Duisenberg, for a routine meeting at our Central Bank. They tour EU capitals much as our Cabinet tours the provinces.
Pedro Solbes will attend the morning session, but, while the Finance Commissioner hasn't time to address the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, as members expected, he has invited them to Brussels and intends returning in the autumn.
Also here on Thursday will be officials from the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice who, at a press conference, will discuss cases involving, and of interest to, Ireland. These include environmental infringements (there are several cases against us), monopolies and mergers and recent decisions.
The powerful Romano Prodi will be here for four days. On Thursday, he meets Bertie Ahern, Mary Harney and Brian Cowen and is guest of honour at an official dinner in Dublin Castle.
On Friday, he meets Michael Noonan, Ruair∅ Quinn and the social partners, holds a press conference and speaks at UCC. Commissioner David Byrne gives a dinner in his honour in Kenmare that night. On Saturday, Prodi and Ahern tour the Ring of Kerry and privately discuss recent developments, as well as the outcome of the Gothenburg summit. On Sunday the pair return to Dublin for more tΩte-α-tΩtes.
The Irish result has shaken Europe, so Prodi's visit comes at an interesting time. There is a feeling that where Ireland leads, others could follow, and if referendums on Nice were held elsewhere, the results could also be negative.
Eurocrats now accept that public opinion matters, and understand the Government's plan to delay another referendum until after the National Forum has identified the reasons for rejection. A re-negotiation of the treaty becomes less and less likely as member-states ratify it, and by autumn 2002, it appears Ireland may be the only country delaying implementation. This is one reason the Government believes it will then pass.