The Constitution immediately” “

On 1st January the Republic of Ireland assumed the reigns of the European Union in a crucial moment of its history: the dates of its enlargement (1st May) and of the elections to the European Parliament (10-13 June) are fast approaching. But the negotiations to give the EU a Constitution remain suspended, following the failure of the summit in Brussels in mid-December. Presenting the programme of the Irish semester to the European Parliament (EP) in January, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern referred to EU enlargement and the Constitutional Treaty. “We will also ensure – he promised – constructive engagement with the most urgent questions facing the Union: economic reform, justice and the development of Europe’s relations with her partners”. It’s a programme unfortunately scarred by the recent terrorist atrocities in Madrid. SIR discussed the six months’ Irish Presidency with Bernard Davenport , Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to the Holy See and with Irish MEP Dana Scallon . Ambassador, the massacre in Madrid has put the threat of global terrorism back on the agenda. What response can Europe give? “By approving the Constitution as soon as possible. In the Constitution there are articles that concern terrorism and that call for cooperation between member states. I think that during this six months’ Irish Presidency we can and must take a decisive step forward towards this goal. But a clear political will is needed”. In recent months the question whether a reference to the Christian roots of Europe should be inserted in the preamble to the Constitution has been discussed. Is the question closed? “I hope not. Ireland is favourable to inserting a reference to the Christian roots in the Treaty. It means recognizing Europe’s millennial history. Recalling the Enlightenment and not the Christian heritage would be a mistake. Besides I don’t think that any such reference to Christian roots can be considered an attack on the secularism of Europe”. With enlargement many fear a growth in immigration. Do you agree? “On 1st May Europe will be enlarged to Eastern Europe with the entry of ten new states. It will be an historic moment of rapprochement between different countries and cultures. We need to be ready to receive all that is good on the political, religious, social and cultural level that they are able to offer us. The policy of the Irish government is favourable to the entry of immigrants. It’s also thanks to them that our country has been able to experience a major economic recovery. Many of these immigrants have been integrated and live prosperously with their families in many cities in Ireland. We are a people of migrants and cannot fail to be welcoming to those who come to us in search of work and better living conditions. There’s no place in Europe for discrimination and racism”. Ireland is distinguished by its policy in favour of life and the family… “It’s part of our culture. It’s a question that concerns not only Europe but also the situations of crisis in the developing countries, in particular in Africa. Defending the right to life and the family from policies that want to disintegrate them means investing in peace and containing every nest bed of terrorism. That’s why the commitment of everyone and especially of Christians involved in politics is necessary”. Dana Scallon, Ireland too is a country scarred by terrorism … “I have personally experienced what is meant by terrorism and the division it causes, and I’ve learned how important respect for one’s neighbour is, no matter whether Protestant or Catholic. Welcoming the other person doesn’t mean renouncing one’s own identity or religion or culture, but finding points of contact and not of division. Problems cannot be solved by bombs. They can only be solved by dialogue and mutual respect, not forgetting justice”. Do you think it’s possible to mention Christian values in the draft Treaty? “Christian values are at the basis of our civilization and we cannot ignore them, especially in so important and dramatic a moment for Europe. They are a guarantee for the future. In European policy today there’s a well-defined agenda to remove any reference to the family and liberalise abortion. Nonetheless we are trying to defend these values through a network of Christian members of parliament in various European countries”. The Marty Report that calls on member states to incorporate euthanasia in their legislation was discussed in the Council of Europe. What attacks are threatening life and the family in Europe? “We haven’t yet discussed euthanasia in the EU. It’s already legal in Belgium and Holland. The United Kingdom is discussing it. When the culture of death takes root, then the physically and mentally disabled, the sick, the expendable and the weak are in danger. The Pope reminds us of this: the more vulnerable people are, the more they need help and protection”.