The EU Commission recognises that national debates on Europe cannot be steered from Brussels, writes EU Commissioner Margot Wallström
Public debate on Europe following the referendums in France and the Netherlands shows that people have many different understandings about what Europe is for and where it is heading. This is why we need a new approach not only to communication, but to the future of Europe altogether.
The remarkable progress achieved over the last 20 years has come at a price. An increasingly diverse agenda, more jargon and acronyms, more committees and voluminous legislation, have given the European public an impression of a system which is irrelevant to them and beyond their control or influence.
Irish people believe very strongly that they have benefited from membership of the European Union and continue to do so. But there can be no question of taking this for granted and that is why increased awareness of and dialogue about European Union policies is so important.
We need to get away from sterile debates about institutional reform. I'm sure not too many Irish people would get excited about the internal voting procedures of the Dáil or Seanad, let alone the complexities of double majority in the council.
That is why I am promoting the idea of democracy, dialogue and debate. We need to start talking about and engaging with citizens on topics that interest them.
I know that Irish people regard issues such as poverty and social exclusion, drug trafficking and organised crime and protection of the environment as areas of importance from an EU policy perspective.
And I know too that Irish people are concerned about Europe's role in the wider world, including overseas assistance and enlargement.
Over the coming months the commission is proposing that national debates on European questions should actively focus on citizens' expectations and discuss the added value and concrete benefits of community action. I think we all acknowledge that communicating with European citizens is a task that is not for the commission alone. The main role must be reserved for the member-states. National debates cannot be steered from Brussels.
At the same time, the commission has been asked by Europe's leaders to make a contribution to the period of reflection and to support the national debates on the future of Europe which will go on during the next few months.
I believe we need to engage in a patient, humble and credible exercise of confidence building, confidence of citizens towards the institutions, confidence between community institutions and member-states.
My thinking about how better public discourse can be organised has been inspired by the Irish National Forum on Europe which has done an excellent job and could serve as a model in other countries.
I appreciate the Taoiseach's and the Government's commitment to promoting real debate on European issues and it is gratifying that this approach is shared across the political spectrum.
We also want to increase the visibility of the commission in member- states. An enhanced role is being given to our representations in capitals. Dublin already has a fine public information and exhibition centre in Dawson Street and provides a wide range of media and public information services.
Over the coming months the Dublin representation will be active in the debate on Europe's future.
From the commission's point of view debate is not about diktat from Brussels. Fundamentally, it is about listening - hearing real concerns about your fears, anxieties and expectations.
Any vision of the future of Europe needs to build on a clear view of citizens' needs and expectations. We as a commission can play a crucial role in ensuring an effective feedback process exists so that key messages can be drawn from the listening process. The conclusions should be presented to the June 2006 European Council.
This democratic debate is the only way the present state of Euro fatigue can be tackled and overcome.
This is not a rescue operation for the constitution. The commission continues to believe that the provisions of the constitution would strengthen democracy, efficiency, fundamental freedoms and citizens' rights.
The period of reflection must be used to stimulate a much wider debate. In the meantime, there is no question of introducing the constitution by stealth or by the backdoor. Let's have the debate and see how it develops.
Margot Wallström is vice-president of the European Commission and Commissioner for Institutional