asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state whether it is true that he has not addressed the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe since he became Minister for External Affairs; and if so, if he will say why this has been the position; and if he will state whether he intends to address the Consultative Assembly in the future for the purpose of presenting Ireland's case for membership of the European Economic Community to the representatives of the Parliaments of Western Europe.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ireland's Case for E.E.C. Membership.
81.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question, he will be glad to hear, is in the affirmative. I have not up to now considered it necessary to intervene directly in the proceedings of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe.
The question whether it would be advisable for me to address the Consultative Assembly in the future for the purpose of presenting Ireland's case for membership of the European Economic Community is one which would have to be considered in the light of any developments during the course of the Assembly's examination of the matter and, in particular, with reference to the items on the Assembly's agenda. As the Deputy is aware, the rules of procedure of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe provide for intervention by Ministers during meetings of the Assembly only on items on the Assembly's agenda unless the Committee have given express authorisation to one or more of its members to make a statement on behalf of the Committee to the Assembly on another subject.
Is the Minister aware that the Taoiseach said in Brussels that we would actively participate in the Council of Europe? Is that what is meant by this?
As actively as other members.
The Minister has not gone there.
I have been there on several occasions when it was necessary to go.
Will the Minister not agree that the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe is an important body influencing public opinion in Europe and will he not further agree that it is important for us as a nation to get the goodwill of the countries who are members of the Consultative Assembly? Will he not also agree that it is important for him to state our case to the delegates attending the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe so that they may interest their Governments in bringing favourable decisions to bear on our proposals?
We will speak or apply for permission to speak any time we think it is appropriate.
The Minister did not go there.
Does the Deputy want me to go there and will he come with me?