Government Launches Nice Guide

This 14 page guide outlines and explains the main changes that would be made to the EU and its institutions following ratification of the Treaty of Nice, by all 15 Member States. In the coming weeks, 1.4 million of these booklets will be delivered to every household in the country. The guide will also be available freely on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Copies of the Guide are available in both English and Irish versions.

The Guide is presented in a factual and straightforward way. In addition to providing summary information on the content of the Treaty of Nice, the booklet also contains basic questions and answers on areas such as the institutions of the EU, Enlargement, Qualified Majority Voting and other issues and terms involved in the Treaty of Nice, which people may not be familiar with.

The Guide also reflects developments that have taken place in the past year, and contains the texts of the National and EU Declarations on neutrality made at the European Council in Seville in June.

Speaking in advance of the launch the Taoiseach Mr Ahern said the Government has a duty to provide people with the information they need to understand what the Treaty of Nice is exactly about. This Guide has been designed to actively address the requirement for a user-friendly publication and it explains what the Nice Treaty is about factually, clearly and simply.

I urge everyone in the country to take the time to read it, and to make themselves aware of the facts regarding Nice. This Guide is a valuable reference booklet and I would particularly ask people to retain the booklet and refer to it regularly over the coming weeks. It is important that everyone understands what it is that the Government is going to be asking them to vote on later in the year.

The Tánaiste Mary Harney said "At the last referendum, many people did not feel they were fully informed. We have listened carefully to them. I am confident that this Guide will provide the information that people want. I say to people who feel they still don't know - there is time and plenty of ways to get informed. Emphasising how important the Treaty of Nice is to Ireland, the Tanaiste continued it's important for your jobs and for your future. We will work to make sure that the information you get is clear and relevant and that is why we are publishing this document today."

ENDS

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