asked the Taoiseach the date by which he intends to nominate the Irish member of the European Commission; and how he intends to announce the nomination.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Member of European Commission.
1.
I have no specific date in mind but I can say that no announcement will be made about it for some time yet.
I was under the impression from a comment made here by the Minister for Foreign Affairs that there would be a sort of a run-in of experience for the Commissioner and that it would necessitate his attendance in Brussels before this country formally enters the EEC. Is that the position?
It is probably too much to say that his attendance in Brussels would be necessitated in advance.I think the position is that he cannot formally be appointed until such time as we become members. However, in the meantime, there will be the question of the allocating of functions to the various Commissioners and, if only for that reason, it would be necessary that the Commissioner be appointed some months in advance. I think that will be the case.
May we take it that the appointment will be some time in the autumn or at the end of summer?
The Deputy can take that range of time, roughly.
Can the Taoiseach say how it is proposed to elect or select, or what method will be employed to provide for membership from this country of the European Parliament?
I have no specific answer to that question but I understand that at present it is left to the member parliament itself to select its members from among the members of that parliament.
Am I correct in assuming that it will be pro rata representation, or will it be confined to members of the Government party?
I think it would be fair to assume that there will be pro rata representation.
With regard to the appointment of the commissioner, can the Taoiseach state if the person will be a Member of either House of the Oireachtas? Has the Taoiseach made up his mind on this point?
I have not made up my mind on that but I think the Deputy is aware that the Commission itself expresses a preference for an active politician and I would go along with that.
Can the Taoiseach state if the nominee will be subject to the approval of this House?
No, I believe not.
If a cussed, ignorant kind of Taoiseach nominated a person whom the majority of the House considered unsuitable, would that not be a bad position to be in?
There is an informal consultative procedure between member countries. The Deputy is aware from his own experience that this kind of consultative procedure is adopted with regard to the nomination of ambassadors also.
2.
asked the Taoiseach the salary, conditions of employment and tenure of office of the Irish member of the European Commission.
Members of the commission receive a basic annual salary of approximately £14,550. The conditions of employment and tenure of office of members of the Commission of the European Communities are set out in Articles 10 and 11 of the Treaty, dated the 8th April, 1965, establishing a Single Council and a Single Commission of the European Communities.
Can the Taoiseach tell us what would be the tenure of office?
Four years, renewable, subject to termination in certain circumstances.