asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether any preparation towards the formulation of a comprehensive policy towards the enlarged Community to include the political, economic and cultural aspects is under way in anticipation of the need to declare this country's approval on such diverse matters as European security, development of political structures within the Community and development of a common monetary policy, at the October summit meeting.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Policy on EEC.
11.
The Government have under active consideration matters relating to future economic, social and political developments in the European Communities when they are enlarged with particular reference to the proposed Summit Meeting of the Ten next October when these matters will be discussed.
Could the Minister give any indication as to whether the Government are seriously concerned about the necessity of strengthening the political structures of the Community; whether we have any proposals for the strengthening of the European Parliament in the context of the Community; whether the Government have given any consideration to the idea of direct elections to that Parliament at this stage, and whether we will be suggesting such proposals at the October meeting?
We have been giving consideration to this. As the Deputy knows, the matters which will be on the agenda are economic and monetary union and social progress in the Community, and in this regard we have a very special interest in the development of a regional policy in the Community which would be a very essential part of the picture of economic and monetary union. Another matter is the Community's relations and responsibility vis-á-vis the rest of the world in which, of course, we have an interest, too, in relation to the developing countries, in relation to Eastern Europe, and particularly in relation to the Third World. The strengthening of the European institutions and progress in the political field in the third item. Our attitude about the institutions as they exist is that we would like to have some experience of them as members before making proposals about change. I think that is a wise attitude for an adhering country. It was decided at the Hague Summit Meeting to try to get some political progress by the setting up of a study group, and we have had meetings twice since then. However, there will be varying enthusiasm in the different countries about the degree of progress made in the political field. It is an economic Community basically. The proposals about political progress will not be the only proposals, but there is a clear indication that one country anyway would put the stress rather on economic matters than on political progress. As it comes nearer the time the Government will make it clear what their position is in that regard.
Would the Minister be making any contact himself with countries already in the Community prior to the October meeting which would help in formulating our own attitude? Would the Minister agree that we must go to the October Summit meeting with certain clearly formed ideas of our own?
Yes, I think the House should be aware that the power of decision-making is in the Council of Ministers, and with what is called the Luxembourg compromise or agreement Governments do not have any decisions taken against their national interest, and this gives every Government a strong position. We would be in a strong position in the Council of Ministers with that arrangement, but at the same time it is desirable, and probably more desirable from the point of view of a small country like ours, to have the institutions of the Community developed. It would, from our point of view, be desirable, I would say, that that arrangement in the Council of Ministers of not taking decisions against the national interest of any one member should continue, but at the same time that there should be progress in the development of the powers of the European Parliament. I would be going a little ahead of our decisions if I went further than that at this time.