asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 558 on the general policy of the Council of Europe which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 16th May, 1969; and whether he has instructed his Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to vote in favour of the proposals contained in this recommendation.
Written Answers. - Council of Europe Recommendations and Resolutions.
126.
The Government supports all efforts designed to bring about the early and simultaneous opening of negotiations with the four applicant countries to full membership of the European communities. Consequently it is in general agreement with the aims of Recommendation No. 558 of the Consultative Assembly. With regard to paragraph 9 (c) of the recommendation it should be borne in mind that the Government is an applicant for full membership of the communities. The Government supports the moves envisaged in paragraph 9 (d) for greater European collaboration in education, scientific research and technology, always provided that agreements in these fields would not be regarded as a substitute for the enlargement of the communities. The Irish Representative in the Committee of Ministers' Deputies has been instructed accordingly.
127.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what instructions he has given his representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe for the debate on Recommendation 470 concerning a draft Convention on European Co-operation between local authorities.
At their 179th meeting in April, 1969, the Committee of Ministers' Deputies considered Recommendation 470 and sent the following reply to the Consultative Assembly with which the Irish Representative in the committee concurred:—
"The Committee of Ministers has taken cognisance of the current work of the ad hoc Committee on Co-operation on the Assembly's proposals relating to a convention on European co-operation between local authorities.
The Committee of Ministers has decided not to include this question in the Programme of Intergovernmental Work for 1969-70".
128.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what action the Government have taken on Resolution (69) 13 adopted on 19th April, 1969, by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and relating to financial contributions by member states to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The Irish Red Cross Society have made available since April, 1968, over £30,000 in cash to the International Committee of the Red Cross of which £20,000 in cash was contributed by the Government. The most recent contribution was made in March, 1969.
The cash contributions were part of the total contribution of £105,000 made available through the Irish Red Cross out of Government funds for the JCRC Relief Programme in favour of the victims of the Nigeria/Biafra War.
129.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what action the Government have taken on Resolution (69) 6 adopted on 7th March, 1969, by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and relating to cinema and the protection of youth.
Resolution (69) 6 has been brought to the notice of, and is being studied by, the Government Departments concerned.
130.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what action the Government have taken on Resolution (69) 9 adopted on 7th March, 1969, by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and relating to the participation of immigrants in the life of the firms in which they work.
This resolution would have little significance for this country in existing conditions when immigration is of very small proportions. In any event there is nothing in our existing legislation to prevent an immigrant worker properly admitted to the country from joining a trade union and participating fully in its affairs.