EU Referendum


Roche denies substantive changes


10/05/2004



On the BBC Radio 4 "World at One" programme, Irish Europe Minister Dick Roche denied that there had been any substantive changes to the draft constitution, as alleged by the Sunday Telegraph.

He described the changes as "small and relatively technical adjustments".

However, when pressed on the exact nature of the changes to the powers of the Union Foreigh Affairs Minister, he evaded the issue. Instead, he launched into an attack on Michael Anchram's claim that the changes increased the move towards a "super state", leaving the questions unanswered.

Roche did, however, admit that - despite its description as a "working document" - the new draft does comprise "a fresh overall proposal" by the Irish presidency.