asked the Minister for Education if this country is participating in the European Youth Programme; and if any progress has been made with regard to youth activities since this matter was raised prior to February, 1974.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Youth Programme.
30.
Ireland continues to participate in the work of the European Youth Centre and European Youth Foundation which function under the aegis of the Council of Europe.
The question of a youth programme by the Council of Europe additional to the activities of the European Youth Centre and the European Youth Foundation was amongst those matters discussed by the Committee for Out of School Education—a subcommittee of the Council of Europe —at their meeting last November. This committee on which Ireland is represented, decided at that meeting to recommend to the Council for Cultural Co-operation (CCC) a particular programme with the following objectives:
(i) preparation, drafting and distribution of a youth participation charter issued in the form of a resolution by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe;
(ii) institution of regular meetings at European level between research workers, representatives of voluntary organisations and youth policy decision makers;
(iii) institution of youth participation in Council of Europe activities in implementation of the principles to be proclaimed in the charter referred to under (i).
These recommendations have yet to be considered by the CCC. As regards the EEC, the proposals of the Commission, to which reference was made in reply to Question No. 102 on 28th February, 1974, have been discussed by the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee. The Council of Ministers has not yet given a decision on the matter.
The Parliamentary Secretary said the recommendation to the Community came in November. What is the reason for taking so long to draw up such a report?
Does the Deputy wish to know why the Committee on Youth Education took that long?
Yes. It seems a long time to make such proposals. Did they not meet regularly?
As the Deputy knows I am not wholly responsible for the activities or inactivities of the Committee for Out of School Education of the Council of Europe. However, if the Deputy wishes to put down a further question I will endeavour to get precise information for him.
I will leave it for a month or two.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary saying he has no responsibility in relation to this?
It is a European body and any delays—I do not accept there have been—would be a matter for that body to answer not for any individual member.
Will the youth programme now come in under the auspices of the Department of Education?
I have no reason to believe it will not be other than under the auspices of the Minister for Education.
What about the announcements at the Labour Party Conference?
I do not think the Deputy read those announcements very closely if he can ask questions such as that.