asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to recommendation No. 329 on the Tenth Progress Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 21st September, 1962; and what action the Government have taken, or contemplate taking, on it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Council of Europe Recommendations.
26.
The Recommendation to which the Question refers is at present under consideration in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and it would not be appropriate to express the attitude of the Government on it as a whole at this time.
I can, however, inform the Deputy that, subject to parliamentary approval, the Government intend to double the contribution to the programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in accordance with the terms of paragraph 13 (1) of the Recommendation.
27.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 337 on European integration, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 25th September, 1962; and what action the Government have taken, or contemplate taking, on it.
32.
andSir Anthony Esmonde asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 338 on European economic relations, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 25th September, 1962; and what action the Government have taken, or contemplate taking, on it.
With your permission, Sir, I propose to reply to Questions Nos. 27 and 32 together.
The Deputies of the Committee of Ministers met in October and decided to bring both Recommendations to the attention of the European Economic Community. The Irish delegate supported that decision.
28.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 336 on the relations between the Assembly of the Council of Europe and OECD, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 25th September, 1962; and what action the Government have taken, or contemplate taking, on it.
The Deputy will be aware that any arrangement for a parliamentary link with the OECD must have the approval of all members of the OECD, including those which are not members of the Council of Europe.
I understand that the recommendation to which the Deputy refers may be discussed this month at a meeting which will take place between the Committee of Ministers and the representatives of the Consultative Assembly.
29.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Resolution No. 235 in reply to the Sixth Report of the Special Representative of the Council of Europe for National Refugees and Overpopulation, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 25th September, 1962; and what action the Government have taken, or contemplate taking, on it.
The matters to which Resolution No. 235 refers have been under discussion in the Committee of Ministers for some time. Pending the completion of these discussions it would not be appropriate for me to indicate the attitude of the Government with regard to them.
30.
andMr. Cummins asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Resolution No. 216 on the ratification of the European Social Charter, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 28th September, 1961; and what action the Government have taken, or contemplate taking, on it.
The Government intend to ratify the European Social Charter as soon as possible. Legislation to implement some of its provisions may, however, be necessary and this aspect of the matter is presently under examination.
31.
andMr. Coughlan asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 334 on the new situation in European cultural co-operation, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 22nd September, 1962; and what action the Government have taken, or contemplate taking, on it.
As the Deputies are aware the appropriation for European cultural co-operation in the Council of Europe budget for 1962 was more than twice as great as the amount expended in 1961. The Estimates for 1963 show an increase of almost 40 per cent. over this year's appropriation. Our representative has been instructed to vote in favour of them.
33.
andSir Anthony Esmonde asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Resolution No. 233 in reply to the Fourth Annual Report of the European Nuclear Energy Agency, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 22nd September 1962; and what action the Government have taken, or contemplate taking, on it.
As the Deputies are aware, the only part of the Resolution calling for specific action is paragraph 7, which urges member Governments to speed up the ratification of the OECD Convention on Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy. Ireland did not sign this Convention. However, the question of our accession thereto is under examination and I hope that a decision on the matter will be taken shortly.
I might add that Irish representatives have been attending the discussions in the European Nuclear Energy Agency referred to in paragraph 6 of the Resolution.
If and when a decision is taken in regard to that matter, may we assume that Dáil Éireann will promptly be informed?
Oh, yes.