The Lisbon treaty is the daughter of the rejected EU constitution and it should be supported, writes Bertie Ahern
The European Union relies on its founding legal documents, without which it could not function. The EU only exists to the extent that the member states confer competences on it through the treaties.
Since 1957, the EU treaties have set out the aspirations and par- ameters of European integration. They identify those areas of policy where the member states have freely resolved to work together and define Europe's guiding prin-ciples and its characteristic values.
In plain terms, the treaties make clear what the EU is responsible for and how it discharges those responsibilities.
The treaties must be agreed by all 27 member states. From time to time, these important documents need to be revised and updated so that an evolving Europe can keep pace with the demands of a changing world. The reform treaty represents the latest updating of the treaties. I am convinced that this will be the last such exercise for some considerable time. It will give the union a settled basis from which to implement the policies we have agreed.
When sizing up the reform treaty, it is important to keep in mind the big picture of what Europe has achieved. Fifty years old this year, the EU has been a remarkable success story. It has brought our 27 countries together in a unique manner. We are each proud of our distinctive national identities and there is absolutely no desire to downplay them. The EU's motto is a thoroughly fitting one - "united in diversity".
There is no ambition to create any kind of European superstate. Those who conjure up such images do not understand the organisation whose meetings I have been attending for more than two decades. At EU gatherings, each country vigorously pursues its own ambitions and interests. This is as it should be. The beauty of the European model, however, is that it delivers collective decisions which reconcile and accommodate our various positions.
European integration has brought about decisive change in Europe. Those who fought bitter 20th century wars now work together in comfort and harmony. The cold war divisions of Europe have been healed. East and West have been brought together on cherished principles of freedom and democracy.
A vast single market has been created in which goods, services and individuals can move freely. Thirteen countries now use a common currency, while others are planning to join the euro zone in the years ahead. These are huge achievements which are often deliberately overlooked by the EU's opponents and sceptics.
Ireland's 35 years of membership have enabled us to create a fairer and more prosperous society. We have been able, through the union, to pursue the tolerant, humanitarian values that have always characterised our national foreign policy agenda. EU membership has also helped advance the cause of peace in Northern Ireland.
Some will ask why is it necessary now to change the way in which the union functions? The reason is simple. The arrangements we have inherited were designed in different times, for a smaller union. The reform treaty responds to the needs of a 27-member union with a testing agenda ahead.
That is why, as far back as the year 2000, we started thinking seriously about the union's future role and structure, leading to comprehensive proposals for bringing it closer to its citizens, strengthening democratic controls and improving our capacity to deal with the challenges of globalisation.
Ireland's 2004 presidency produced agreement on a constitution for Europe but, as it turned out, that document was not ratified by all member states. Two further years of negotiation have produced the EU reform treaty, which is the daughter of the Constitution. There is much similarity between these two agreements, but the reform treaty is presented as a series of amendments to the existing treaties.
Those amendments lack the constitutional flavour of the 2004 agreement. The reform treaty offers a blueprint for continuity and pragmatic adjustment of structures rather than the appearance of radical constitutional change.
The reform treaty has important features.
First, it gives legal effect to the Charter of Fundamental Rights, so that a whole set of vital rights and freedoms will be reflected, for the first time, in the EU treaties;
Second, it gives an important new role in European affairs to national parliaments. In future, the Oireachtas will be in a position to influence the shape of EU laws;
Third, it establishes a President of the European Council and a High Representative for Foreign Affairs, to make European meetings more efficient and give us a clearer voice in world affairs;
Fourth, the union will have some new responsibilities in the areas of energy and climate change, challenges that clearly require concerted European effort;
Finally, the new treaty aims to make the union more efficient by reforming the institutions, slimming down the commission, capping the size of the European Parliament and producing a clearer voting system so that only proposals that command strong support across Europe can be adopted.
It is important also to recall what the reform treaty does not do. It does not affect Ireland's traditional position of military neutrality, which is well understood and appreciated by our European partners.
Contrary to what critics sometimes imply, the treaty does not bring about any change in the area of taxation, which will remain subject to unanimity. The treaty will not impact negatively on existing policies such as the common agricultural policy.
In fact, a decisive Yes vote in next year's referendum will improve Ireland's standing in Europe and will strengthen our hand in shaping current and future EU policies in a direction beneficial to Ireland.
Since 1957, Europe has been on a journey marked by co-operation and consensus. Ireland has benefited from active engagement in this successful venture. I also believe that Ireland's membership has been good for the EU. Our journey together continues. The reform treaty will equip Europe for the road ahead in the coming decades.
EU membership continues to be vital to Ireland as we build upon our major progress of recent years. A strong and effective Union will serve Ireland's coming needs and interests. That is why I will be urging support for the reform treaty when it is put to the electorate for decision during 2008.