Roche welcomes publication of new version of the EU treaties

MINISTER OF State for European Affairs Dick Roche has welcomed the publication of the consolidated version of the founding EU treaties, incorporating the amendments to be made by the Lisbon Treaty once ratified.

The publication of the new version of the treaties is another key development in the "common effort to ensure the public across the Union, but particularly here in Ireland, are as well informed as possible on the reform treaty", he said.

"This document shows exactly how the reform treaty will amend the existing treaties. It shows the legal framework that will apply if the reform treaty is ratified by all member states," said the Minister.

"The document is now available on the Government's dedicated reform treaty website (www.reformtreaty.ie). There is a wealth of other information relating to the treaty also on the website.

"By the time of the referendum, I hope that we will have had the best informed public debate for any referendum in our history. Never before has such a wealth of information been available on an EU treaty," said the Minister.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times