There has been mixed reaction from politicians and others to the publication of the revised draft of part one of the EU constitutional treaty. The Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr Dick Roche, gave the document a guarded welcome, but the Eurosceptic campaigner Mr Anthony Coughlan was sharply critical.
"We broadly welcome the draft text as an important step forward towards a constitutional treaty which is much simpler and easier to read than the existing treaties," Mr Roche said. "However, we still have a long way to go before there is full agreement on the draft treaty."
While conceding that "some important changes are on the cards" it is also apparent that, "contrary to what some have claimed, there will be no major alteration in the Union's basic character or in its powers".
He welcomed the dropping of the word "federal" as recommended by Ireland. "It did not cause problems of substance, but could be misinterpreted," he said.
The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, demanded a Dáil debate. "I am calling upon the Taoiseach to outline the level of co-operation that the Government has sought with other small EU states to ensure that the position of the growing number of smaller states within the Union is respected.
"I welcome the fact that the current draft constitution does not envisage any change from the current position, where member-states are free to set their own rates of tax."
Labour MEP Mr Proinsias De Rossa welcomed the new formulation on defence, which explicitly provided for unanimity among member-states in making decisions. "Ireland's policy on this matter remains firmly in its own hands. Warnings of a European military superstate are yet again seen to be misplaced and absurd," he said.
However, Green Party TD Mr John Gormley said the document "represents a further shift of power from the small states to the larger states and from the EU Commission to the Council".
He rejected a proposed reduction of the Commission to 14 members and said the defence clauses would have "profound implications for Irish neutrality".
Fine Gael MEP Mr John Cushnahan was disappointed with proposals on the Common Foreign and Security Policy. "The creation of the post of EU foreign minister on its own will not remedy the deficiencies in the CFSP, which were so cruelly exposed during the Iraq debacle," he said.
Mr Anthony Coughlan condemned the draft as "the latest giant lurch in the direction of an EU federal superstate under Franco-German hegemony".
He added: "I believe there will be considerable public disquiet and possible outrage when people realise the implications of this."
Equal in Europe, a group which opposed the Nice Treaty, said it was "dismayed at the draft constitution and the apparent disregard for genuine debate".