The Government’s response to its defeat in the Nice Treaty referendum was launched this afternoon.
The National Forum on Europe will have its inaugural hearing in Dublin Castle next Thursday week and be chaired by Fianna Fail Senator, Mr Maurice Hayes.
The composition of the forum will be limited to members of the Oireachtas and those nominated by elected parties.
The allocation of seats will be based on the percentage of first preference votes achieved by parties and independent representatives during the last general election.
A number of other interested groups will be represented in a ‘Special Observer Pillar’.
The agenda for debate will include EU enlargement, Ireland’s relationship to the EU and the future structure of the administration of the Union.
Fine Gael will not be represented at the forum after party leader Mr Michael Noonan described the forum as a "talking shop", saying the issues should be debated in the Dail chamber.