asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps being taken to secure Government representation in trade associations in dealings at EEC level.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Representation on Trade Association.
58.
The existing procedures for dealing with European Community industrial and commercial proposals provide for consultation both at Government level and at industrial or trade association level. It would not be appropriate to seek Government representation on delegations from industry or trade associations.
My understanding of the situation is that these discussions at trade level in Brussels can be of vital interest to trades in this country. Is the Minister satisfied that the different trades are fully alert to the importance of these discussions and are sufficiently well represented at them?
I agree with the importance of decisions being made in Brussels and other institutions of the Community. While Irish industry is making a considerable effort, there are areas of omission where important decisions in the preceding discussions are not participated in and also that decisions are not sufficiently rapidly communicated. We all have responsibility, Government, Opposition, media, CII, and all of the other agencies in this respect. There is a real difficulty in regard to the extent of the financial burden on some of the voluntary organisations in maintaining staff or sending people to Brussels. This is a matter which might be looked at in regard to whether they should receive some form of assistance because it is in the public interest that they should be well informed and should be able to attend as much as possible.