asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the Government's attitude towards the proposal made by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on European co-operation between municipal and regional authorities in general and, in particular, towards a convention on European co-operation between local authorities.
Written Answers. - Council of Europe Recommendations.
72.
The proposal to which the Deputy refers appears to be that contained in Recommendation 470 of the Consultative Assembly. Paragraph 7 (b) of this Recommendation requested the Committee of Ministers to instruct a committee of governmental experts to prepare a draft European Convention on co-operation between local authorities. This request was considered by the Committee of Ministers meeting at Deputy level and a reply, with which the Irish Representative concurred, was sent to the Assembly in April, 1969. The text of the reply is as follows:—
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.
Paragraph 7 (a) of the Recommendation requested the Committee of Ministers to draw the attention of member Governments to the problem of European co-operation between local authorities. An ad hoc Committee which had been studying this question has now been established by the Committee of Ministers on a permanent basis following further consideration by the Ministers' Deputies of Recommendation 470.
73.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 577 on a European Agriculture Charter which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 23rd January, 1970; and whether they will instruct the Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to vote in favour of the proposals contained in paragraph 8 of this recommendation.
Recommendation 577 on a European Agriculture Charter is still under consideration. However desirable the various provisions of the Agriculture Charter may be in theory, the practicability of implementing these is of the greatest importance. Pending a thorough examination of the provisions of the Charter I do not propose to instruct the Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers to vote in favour of the proposals in paragraph 8 of this Recommendation.
74.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 578 on the control of brucellosis and rabies in Europe which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 23rd January, 1970; and whether they will meet the proposals contained in paragraph 7 (ii) of this recommendation.
The terms of Recommendation 578 of the Consultative Assembly are, in general, acceptable. The Government have certain reservations with regard to the attention being given by the Council of Europe to the control of animal diseases which seems to be adequately covered by other international organisations such as FAO and the International Veterinary Bureau. In so far as brucellosis is concerned the proposals contained in paragraph 7 (2) (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of the Recommendation are acceptable. The Government support the principle of international agreements in regard to the co-ordination and implementation of preventive measures in the field of rabies control.
75.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 579 on the state of forestry in Europe which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 23rd January, 1970; and whether they will meet the requests contained in paragraph 6 (1) of this text and in particular promote, by providing adequate financial assistance, research on the social function of the forest.
The Government do not in general see objection to paragraph 6 (i) and (iii) of Recommendation 579 of the Consultative Assembly. In regard to paragraph 6 (ii) of the Recommendation proposing a detailed study by the OECD of the extent to which European forestry is competitive it is considered that the European Forestry Commission of the Food and Agriculture Organisation might be the more appropriate body in which to carry out this form of study.
76.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 592 on youth problems in Europe which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 26th January, 1970; and whether they will accede to the requests set out in paragraph 18 of this recommendation.
The Government agree generally with the proposals and observations in Recommendation 592. In view, however, of the studies being undertaken by the Council for Cultural Co-operation they consider that the proposal at II 1. is not necessary.
77.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 588 of the development of sport for all and the creation of co-ordinating structures which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 28th January, 1970; and whether they will accede to the requests contained in paragraph 6 of this recommendation.
As Recommendation 588 of the Consultative Assembly covers matters falling within the competence of the Council for Cultural Cooperation of the Council of Europe, the Government consider that the Recommendation should be brought to the attention of that body with a request for an opinion as to the action which might appropriately be taken in the matter.
78.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 591 on Venice, its preservation and renovation which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 26th January, 1970; and what special financial contribution they intend to make to the UNESCO programme for the preservation and revitalisation of Venice.
As Recommendation 591 itself indicates the question of the preservation of Venice is already under consideration in UNESCO and the Government are of the opinion that the matter can more appropriately be dealt with in that organisation.
79.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 589 on the European Conference of Ministers responsible for the preservation and rehabilitation of the cultural heritage of monuments and sites which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 26th January, 1970; and whether they will instruct their Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to vote in favour of the proposals contained in paragraph 8 of this recommendation.
The Government favour Recommendation 589 of the Consultative Assembly and the Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers has been instructed accordingly.
80.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 590 on the production of a European film on the preservation and rehabilitation of the cultural heritage of monuments and sites which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 26th January, 1970; and what financial and technical support they intend to give to the making of the film planned by Europa Nostra to which reference is made in paragraph 5 of this recommendation.
The proposals in this Recommendation are still under consideration in the various Government Departments concerned.