§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the declaration on protocol 17 to the treaty on European union which was agreed by European Community Foreign Ministers at Guimaraes on 1 and 2 May.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesOn 2 May, EC Foreign Ministers agreed the text of the following declaration on protocol 17 to the treaty on European union
The High Contracting Parties to the Treaty on European Union signed at Maastricht on the 7th day of February 1992.Having considered the terms of Protocol No. 17 to the said Treaty on European Union which is annexed to that Treaty and to the Treaties establishing the European Communities.Hereby give the following legal interpretation: that it was and is their intention that the Protocol shall not limit freedom to travel between member States or in accordance with conditions which may be laid down, in conformity with Community law, by Irish legislation to obtain or make available in Ireland information relating to services lawfully available in Member States. At the same time the High Contracting Parties solemnly declare that, in the event of a future constitutional amendment in Ireland which concerns the subject matter of Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution of Ireland and which does not conflict with the intention of the High Contracting Parties hereinbefore expressed, they will, following the entry into force of the Treaty on European Union be favourably disposed to amending the said Protocol so as to extend its application to such constitutional amendment if Ireland so requests.