asked the Minister for External Affairs whether following a reply of 12th November, 1963, he is now in a position to say what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation 376 on the tasks of the Assembly of the Council of Europe in the present situation of European affairs, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 24th September, 1963; and what action the Government have taken, or contemplate taking, on it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Recommendations of Council of Europe.
24.
As the Deputy is aware, Recommendation 376 is addressed to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, who considered it at their 33rd Session in December, 1963. The Ministers decided to instruct Committees of Experts to consider the preparation of Conventions or Agreements providing for measures of harmonisation in social, cultural, legal and administrative matters on the basis of those already taken by one or other of the two existing economic groups, and to make proposals for the preparation of European standards in spheres within the competence of the Council of Europe.
The Committee of Ministers share the hope that the closest possible cooperation may be achieved between the Ministers and the Consultative Assembly with regard to the drawing up of a political working programme.
25.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Resolution 265 on the general policy of the Council of Europe, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 15th January 1964; and what action the Government have taken, or contemplate taking, on it.
Resolution 265 is primarily directed to the member Governments of the European Economic Community. The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe have noted the Resolution, which will be taken into account in their political discussions to be held following the adoption by them of Resolution (63)6.
26.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation 381 on the problems raised by population trends in Europe, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 16th January 1964; and what action the Government have taken, or contemplate taking, on it.
Recommendation 381 has been considered by the Committee of Ministers. The Secretary-General of the Council of Europe has been requested to convene a group of consultant experts to examine the desirability of holding a European Population Conference, as outlined in the Recommendation. The experts' report is expected to be available by the beginning of May and the matters raised in Recommendation 381 will afterwards be reconsidered by the Committee of Ministers, in the light of the views expressed by the experts.