EUROPEAN CONVENTION: EU leaders say they want to make the EU more efficient, more democratic and easier for citizens to understand.
Denis Staunton explains some questions about the conventione, looking at what the convention is and what it hopes to achieve; who is going to attend and who the Irish representatives are; what the costs of the convention will be and who will pay the bill
1. Why are they having a convention?
The convention will consider, among other things, how to involve national parliaments more closely to EU decision-making and how to divide powers between EU institutions and member-state governments.
2. Who is taking part?
One hundred and five representatives from national governments, national parliaments, the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions.
Each government has one representative and each parliament has two.
The European Parliament is sending 16 representatives and the Commission is sending two. Candidate countries are represented but, if there is a vote, they will not be allowed to take part in it.
3. Who are the Irish representatives?
The Government is represented by Mr Ray Mc Sharry, the former finance minister and EU commissioner.
The Oireachtas representatives are the former Taoiseach, Mr John Bruton, and the Labour TD and MEP, Mr Proinsias De Rossa.
4. Who is in charge?
The chairman is the former French president, Mr Valery Giscard d'Estaing. He leads a 12-person praesidium which will set the convention's agenda.
Mr Bruton is a member of the praesidium.
5. Will the convention write a constitution for the EU?
Maybe. Some members want to simplify the EU's treaties and replace them with a constitution that would also define which policy areas should be agreed at an EU level and which should be the responsibility of member-states.
But a constitution, like any other convention proposal, would have to be approved by all EU governments.
6. Will the convention lead to further European integration?
Not necessarily.
The convention could propose giving more powers to Brussels but it is likely to suggest that some policy areas should be returned entirely to national governments or regional bodies.
7. Will European citizens have a say?
Not directly.
But a forum operating parallel to the convention will consult with representatives of civil society such as trade unions, charities and pressure groups.
The convention will listen to what the Forum has to say but it is not obliged to act on any of its suggestions. The fact that almost all the convention's members are serving politicians should ensure democratic accountability.
8. Who is paying for all this?
Taxpayers. EU member-states have voted the convention a budget of €10.5 million for this year, 40 per cent of which will pay for translation and interpretation into the EU's 11 languages.
The Commission will provide some services free and the European Parliament is providing the venue and other services.
9. How long will the convention last?
Just over a year.
A few months after the convention ends, EU leaders will launch an Inter-Governmental Conference leading to a treaty-making summit, probably in 2004.
10. Will the convention affect Ireland's military neutrality?
No.