asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he will support the suggestion emanating from the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe that there should be a body of parliamentarians associated with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - O.E.C.D.: Parliamentary Body.
5.
In reply to a somewhat similar question on 2nd November, 1960, I stated that I would not like to express a definite opinion about the suggestion concerned from the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe until the Preparatory Committee of the Conference on the reorganisation of O.E.E.C. had reported in the matter. In the event, the Preparatory Committee did not formulate any definite decision but concluded that "they might study the matter further after signature of the Convention", adding at the same time that it would be for the O.E.C.D. Council to take such action as it deems fit.
As the Deputy is aware, the O.E.C.D. Convention was signed in Paris on the 14th December. The Preparatory Committee have been meeting since the latter part of January but have not so far dealt further with this particular matter; and it will, of course, be some time before the Council of the O.E.C.D. can consider it as the Organisation will not be formally established until the Convention has been ratified by at least fifteen signatory States.
In all the circumstances I do not deem it appropriate to commit the Government at this stage to a definite position in regard to the recommendation of the Consultative Assembly.