The President, Mrs McAleese, declined to answer questions on the Nice Treaty at a press conference yesterday to mark the first day of her State visit to Finland. President McAleese emerged from an hour-long meeting with President Tarja Halolen, at which developments in the EU and at the UN and European security had been discussed.
Local journalists sought Mrs McAleese's views on enlargement and the outcome of next month's referendum, but she passed the microphone to the accompanying Minister, Ms de Valera.
Mrs McAleese said she and the Finnish President had discussed enlargement and the Nice Treaty but "I was at pains to point out that we were in the middle of a referendum campaign and the people will make the decision. "It would be very inappropriate for me. I do not have the same kind of powers as President Halolen. I respect the integrity of the Irish people and I can best respect that by remaining silent."
Ms de Valera said the Government was very much in favour of a Yes vote on Nice. She believed the referendum would be passed. Ireland had had a positive experience in Europe and it was important that it continued.
On arrival by Government jet at Helsinki airport, the President and Dr Martin McAleese were met by the Finnish Defence Minister, Mr Jan-Erk Enestam, and the Irish Ambassador to Finland, Mr Gearoid O Broin, and were conveyed by motorcade to the presidential palace.
There the Irish party were greeted by President Halolen and the Finnish Prime Minister, Mr Paavo Lipponen, and other dignitaries. The two presidents then inspected a guard-of-honour. Their two husbands, Dr McAleese and Mr Pentti Arajarvi, who presented a small bouquet of flowers to Mrs McAleese, stood in the background. The two national anthems were played and the presidents entered the palace for private discussions.
Last night a black- tie banquet for 156 guests was hosted by President Halolen in President McAleese's honour. Mrs McAleese paid tribute to the Finnish statesmen who had assisted in the Irish peace process - Harri Holkeri on the Belfast Agreement, Brig Tauno Nieminen on decommissioning and former president Martti Ahtisaari on inspecting paramilitary weapons dumps.
Ireland and Finland, she said, shared a common European vision. "We are both looking forward to the challenges and opportunities which the enlargement of the European Union offers . . ."