DECLARATION OF THE HIGH CONTRACTING PARTIES TO THE TREATY ON EUROPEAN UNION

The High Contracting Parties to the Treaty on European Union signed at Maastricht on the seventh 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 State 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 request.

Hecho en Maastricht, el siete de febrero de mil novecientos noventa y dos.

Udfaerdiget i Maastricht, den syvende februar nitten hundrede og tooghalvfems.

Geschehen zu Maastricht am siebten Februar neunzehnhundertzweiundneunzig.

Egine sto Maastricht, stis efta Fevroyarioy chilia enniakosia eneninta dyo.

Done at Maastricht on the seventh day of February in the year one thousand nine hundred and ninety-two.

Fait à Maastricht, le sept février mil neuf cent quatre- vingt-douze.

Arna dhéanamh i Maastricht, an seachtú lá d'Fheabhra, míle naoi gcéad nócha a dó.

Fatto a Maastricht, addì sette febbraio millenovecentonovantadue.

Gedaan te Maastricht, de zevende februari negentienhonderd twee-en-negentig.

Feito em Maastricht, em sete de Fevereiro de mil novecentos e noventa e dois.

Pour Sa Majesté le Roi des Belges

Voor Zijne Majesteit de Koning der Belgen

For Hendes Majestaet Danmarks Dronning

Fuer den Praesidenten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland

Gia ton Proedro tis Ellinikis Dimokratias

Por Su Majestad el Rey de España

Pour le Président de la République française

Thar ceann Uachtarán na hEireann

For the President of Ireland

Per il Presidente della Repubblica italiana

Pour Son Altesse Royale le Grand-Duc de Luxembourg

Voor Hare Majesteit de Koningin der Nederlanden

Pelo Presidente da República Portuguesa

For Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and

Northern Ireland