asked the Taoiseach if the Government have now considered the Tindemans Report on European Union; and if he will state the Government's attitude in particular to the two tier proposal in the report.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Union Report.
1.
The proposals contained in the Tindemans Report are both extensive and complex and are currently the subject of detailed study.
I have already expressed my general reaction to the report in a Press statement on 7th January, a copy of which I am having sent to the Deputy. For the present I do not wish to add to what I said then.
As the Taoiseach said, the proposals are both detailed and complex. I presume the Taoiseach will arrange that the House will have an opportunity of considering and debating the report as soon as possible, possibly on the annual debate on the progress in the European Community. I think the Taoiseach will acknowledge that the Tindemans Report was basically an analysis of the present condition within the Community and on that basis made certain proposals. If such is the case, on that assumption, so far as it was an analysis of the present condition and the rate of progress towards economic and monetary union, and towards political union, will the Taoiseach not accept, in so far as there is this proposal for a two tier development within Europe, as it has been called, this implies at least, if not factually acknowledges, that Ireland as a member of the Community——
This is a very long question.
——has not been making the rate of progress which would be desirable to enable us to play our full part within the Community?
The Deputy has referred to a number of matters in his supplementary. Certainly I do not see any difficulty in discussing the report when the report on the European Community is being considered by the Dáil. A number of proposals will be considered at the European Council meeting in April. The actual details of the different aspects will be considered by the Departments concerned. Specifically on the two tier proposal, if adopted in its present form it might well relegate the position of this country to a position similar to that of some other countries which are only associated with the Community. That would require much fuller and further consideration.
So far as my question relates specifically to the two tier proposal, could I ask the Taoiseach if there is any evidence that the Government have made strong representations or criticisms to the European Community on the failure of the Community, if such is the case in the Government's view, to implement the proposals of the Community itself, for instance in the area of regional development and social policy, to enable us to play a full part? If the Government have not made any such proposals, could I ask the Taoiseach why they have not done so?
Our views are being clearly expressed at all meetings of the Community. As the Deputy is aware, the Community proceeds by agreement. It is not possible for one member to get views accepted unless the others are prepared to agree to those views.
The Taoiseach will acknowledge that it is possible for the Government to make their position clear particularly when that position is in line with the stated principles of the Community itself, namely, the elimination of regional imbalances.
The Deputy is making a statement.
I am asking the Taoiseach is it not possible for the Government to make their position clear when that position is based on the Community's own proposals. If such is the case, have the Government not failed to rely on the principles of the Community in ensuring that the regional imbalances are eliminated?
The Deputy is repeating his arguments.
The Ceann Comhairle will appreciate——
I have given the Deputy a lot of latitude on this question. We cannot remain unduly long on any one question.
——that this is a complex matter which I acknowledge has to be treated properly and debated.
I am afraid we cannot debate it today.
Is there any evidence that the Government have complained to the Community of the Community's failure, if that is the Government's view, to reduce the regional imbalances so that the original proposals on economic and monetary union could be implemented?
The Deputy is under a misapprehension if he thinks complaining to the Community is the way to get things done. The Community is a body of nine member states of which we are one. It proceeds by agreement. In exceptional circumstances member states have the right to use the veto. So far this country has not exercised that right, and I think it would be contrary to its interests to do so except in a very specific case or for a very specific purpose. Proceeding by agreement is the way to get action and not by making complaints to the Community.
Apart from complaints, is there any public evidence of proposals from our Government obliging the European Community to act on its own principles and enable us to meet our obligations as a member of the Community?
We have made our views known repeatedly on these matters.
May I assume that there will be no change in the structure of the Community, for example, as to development along a two tier line system without the specific agreement of this country?
All these measures will fall to be discussed at the April meeting if agreement is reached to discuss them but nothing will be decided until that meeting. I imagine that the discussion then will very likely not lead to any conclusions.
When the decision is taken I take it there will be no change unless we agree to it.
There has to be agreement.