asked the Minister for Finance if he will state whether the Government have considered the proposals for the establishment of the free convertibility of currencies in Europe prepared on behalf of the European movement and submitted to the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation and to the Council of Europe; and, if so, whether he will state if the Government approves of or favours (1) the establishment of a European Monetary Reserve Fund, (2) the formation of a Committee of the Finance Ministers of participating States which would meet periodically to discuss and co-ordinate European monetary problems and to harmonise the financial policies of their respective countries, and (3) the creation of a permanent European monetary institution, composed of the heads of the Central Banks in each country, which would be responsible for the management of the European Monetary Reserve Fund and for the technical co-ordiantion of European monetary matters, and which might develop into a Bank of Europe at a later stage; and, further, whether he will indicate to the Dáil the views of the Government on these matters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Convertibility of Currencies.
Proposals similar to those mentioned by the Deputy have been referred by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation for detailed study. They have not so far been remitted for examination to the individual member countries of the organisation. The Government has shown its support in principle for measures designed to promote the free international convertibility of currencies by its adherence to the Convention for European Economic Co-operation, its signature of the Agreements for Intra-European Payments and Compensations and its active participation on the Council of Organisation for European Economic Co-operation in the discussion of proposals for the liberalisation of European trade and payments.
asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that Irish tuberculosis patients undergoing treatment in Switzerland experience difficulty in paying for treatment since devaluation, and whether he will consider the possibility of alleviating this hardship.
Applications have been received in a number of cases for an increase in the amount of Irish currency sanctioned before devaluation took place for transfer abroad in payment for medical treatment. All such applications have been approved, and I will be prepared to grant a similar increase in any other case, provided it is shown that the additional amount required is for necessary expenses of maintenance and treatment in Switzerland.