asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the action of the British, German and French Governments in negotiating, with the oil-producing countries, he considers that this country is still bound by the Copenhagen Declaration of December, 1973.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Copenhagen Declaration.
2.
The heads of State or Government meeting in Copenhagen on 14th-15th December, 1973, agreed on the necessity for the Community to take effective action on the lines set out in the communiqué issued after the meeting. The communiqué has been placed in the Oireachtas Library.
Action on each of the measures envisaged is proceeding according to a timetable of work drawn up by the Commission subsequent to the summit meeting. Already the Council has adopted two such measures, namely a decision setting up an energy committee and a regulation on information for the establishment of comprehensive energy balance sheets for the Community. The deadline of 28th February, 1974, for a Community programme on alternative sources of energy has not, of course, been reached but work proceeds. All member states are accordingly in course of complying with the recommendations of the Copenhagen Summit in the energy field.
Negotiations by individual member states with oil producing countries are not contrary to the terms of the Copenhagen Summit communiqué.
Did the Taoiseach put any proposals before that summit in Copenhagen and if so what were they?
The summit meeting was not one at which different Governments put forward different proposals. It was one for the heads of State of different Governments to discuss problems together and out of that certain proposals emerged. We did not put forward specific proposals nor, indeed, did the other Governments.
Did our Taoiseach express any specific view and if so what view did he express?
That is a question that should be put to the Taoiseach.
Does the Government intend to negotiate separately with the oil producing countries for our energy?
That does not arise on this question.
It is relevant from the point of view that three other countries in the Community are doing this.
The question put to me related to the question of whether such negotiations would be contrary to the Copenhagen communiqué. They are not contrary and there is no reason arising from that for us not to do so. The question as to whether we intend to is a question for another day and, perhaps, for another Minister.
Does the Minister think they are consistent?
Are we prevented from negotiating individually?
The Copenhagen communiqué does not prevent bilateral negotiations such as have taken place since by certain countries.
We are in danger of being left out in the cold, literally and metaphorically.