asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether any work is proceeding on assessing the effect of EEC regulations on domestic laws.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Regulations Effect.
3.
Examination is taking place on a continuing basis by Government Departments of the implications for Ireland of Community legislation including its effect on Irish law.
In view of the enormous amount of work involved here have the Government considered the possibility of bringing in, on a temporary basis, experts from outside the Civil Service to ensure that this work can be completed as soon as possible —I mean on an individual basis, not as consultants?
We shall have the legislation here very shortly and we can have a full debate on that matter.
Would the Minister not agree that there are many detailed administrative arrangements that have to be made which would not come within the immediate ambit of the legislation and which many Departments, I believe, are having difficulty in completing at the moment? Would the Minister consider the possibility of bringing in people from outside the Civil Service to expedite the work?
Yes. There are many problems involved in the whole matter of our entry into Europe and these can best be teased out, I take it, in the course of the debate on the EEC legislation which will be before the House shortly.
But there is not much time in which this can be done?
There is from now until 1st January.
Does the Minister think the House could supply the expert knowledge that is needed?
I think the House can. I have more confidence in the House than the Deputy has.