Launch of the Reform Treaty website www.reformtreaty.ie

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern T.D., today launched a website dedicated to the Reform Treaty.  The website forms part of the Government’s information campaign to explain the contents of the Reform Treaty to the public.

Welcoming the website, Minister Ahern said: “The Reform Treaty is an important achievement for the European Union and its ratification is a priority for the Government.  I welcome the fact that detailed information on the Reform Treaty is available on the website and I urge everyone to access it.  It is important to increase awareness and understanding of its contents”.

The Minister for European Affairs, Mr. Dick Roche, T.D. also welcomed the website describing it as a useful resource to engage with the public on the Reform Treaty. 

He said, “I look forward to playing an active role in informing the public about this important Treaty.  The Irish public have traditionally shown strong support for the European Union and I firmly believe that next year’s referendum will affirm Ireland’s place at the heart of the European Union.  This website will provide the public with information on all aspects of the Treaty and is intended to facilitate an informed and balanced debate about a Treaty that is important for Europe and important for Ireland.”

Note to Editors:

The website address is www.reformtreaty.ie
The Reform Treaty will be formally signed today in Lisbon.  Thereafter, it needs to be ratified by all 27 Member States.
Agreement on the Reform Treaty took place against the background of the failure to ratify the European Constitution which had been agreed in 2004.  The Reform Treaty draws much of its substance from the European Constitution, but takes the form of a series of amendments to the existing European Treaties.

ENDS +++
13 December 2007
Press Office