It is entirely appropriate that, after the summer break, politics should focus on the electorate's rejection of the Nice Treaty last June and the developing debate on the future of Europe. These are pressing issues, which must be resolved in the coming political season if Ireland's fundamental interests within the EU are to be protected.
Yesterday, the Fine Gael leader, Mr Michael Noonan, rejected revised proposals from the Taoiseach about arrangements for a Forum on Europe, which have now been published by the Government. They are intended to merge a response to the referendum result with Irish participation in decisions on how Europe should develop. Mr Noonan rejects that approach. He says a loosely structured forum, without a set timetable or a specific commitment to report and recommend ways forward, would divert attention from internal Government disagreements on Europe and smother normal political debate.
Mr Noonan's objections are understandable but misguided. It is unrealistic to assume the Oireachtas can carry forward the necessary debate on Nice and the future of Europe after its failure, last June, to mobilise most of the electorate to vote at all, much less in favour of the treaty. A wider and deeper public debate is required which can include the extra-parliamentary groups and parties that actually won the referendum - albeit on a paltry 35 per cent turnout.
That result revealed an exceedingly complacent and careless approach by the Government, the main political parties and major interest groups in favour of the treaty. The campaign was much too short to engage an electorate concerned about the treaty's implications and impressed by the passionate if diverse campaigns against. Full recognition must be extended to that result and those political realities. But those who voted No or abstained in much larger numbers cannot assume there is no political or economic cost involved. There is, and it could be very serious. Without firm political leadership Ireland could dangerously marginalise itself from the European mainstream in which it has remained so beneficially over the last generation.
The Forum on Europe can supplement normal politics by including the wider public in the debates on Nice and the future of Europe. It is also necessary to agree on whether to put the Nice decision once again to the electorate in another referendum. Mr Ahern and Mr Noonan must redouble their efforts to reach agreement on this question so that it can be addressed properly between now and December.