asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the inadequate personnel representation from Northern Ireland in the institutions and committees of the European Community, he will make proposals to the British Government to ensure adequate representation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Community Representation.
29.
The personnel representation from Northern Ireland in the institutions and committees of the European Community is primarily a matter for the British Government and it would not be appropriate for the Minister to make proposals to that Government in the matter.
Acknowledging that position I should like to draw a comparison between the position there and that which exists in this part of the island where we have ten members on the European Parliament, various Ministers representing our interests and a represeuntative on the Commission—I understand that is a matter of some competition within the Government at present. One can see from that that there is a need to ensure adequate personnel representation from the North of Ireland. Would the Parliamentary Secretary accept that, if their interest within the European Community is to be protected?
I accept on a certain level, but on the level we are talking about, namely the level at which the Government can intervene in such matters. I do not accept the proposal at all. Whether we like it or not there is a certain sovereignty situation in regard to the North of Ireland and the exercise of that sovereignty, whether we like it or not, is vested in the British Government. They make the same decisions in regard to the distribution of their membership of committees and of the European Parliament as we make about ours.
Acknowledging the question of sovereignty I should like to point out that even the Parliamentary Secretary's reply to the previous question acknowledges the matter of mutual interest. Will the Parliamentary Secretary strongly request the British Government to take some steps to represent some personnel from the North of Ireland at any level, at committee level or other level? To illustrate it: there are many people serving on committees of the European Community who are not parliamentary representatives and they give great help. It must be fairly obvious, in view of the breakdown of political activity in the North, that there are many men of potential, commitment and conviction who could serve the interest of that part of Ireland very adequately. Surely the Government must share that sense of urgency and do something about it.
The Deputy is imparting information rather than seeking it.
I accept that such people are there and that there is the gap referred to by the Deputy but the ordinary rules which govern relations between countries would make it inappropriate for this Government to make the kind of representations the Deputy is speaking about. Perhaps, it would not prevent the Minister informally, and privately, from expressing the kind of view the Deputy has just expressed but that is the limit he could be expected to go.
That is all I am seeking. Has the Minister made any such informal request?
I cannot tell the Deputy whether he has or not.
Why not? My question relates to that point.
The Deputy asked if the Minister would make proposals to the British Government and I can tell him that no such proposals have been made.
I take it, from what the Parliamentary Secretary has said, that the Minister has not made any such suggestions?
He has made no proposals to the British Government.
That shows, unfortunately, a deplorable lack of urgency and conviction if the Minister has not even raised the matter with the British Government.
This is Question Time; it is not debating time.
My question has been on the Order Paper for two months.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I wish to raise the subject matter of Question No. 4 on the Adjournment. I would ask the Ceann Comhairle to give that question priority over my request to deal with Question No. 23 on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.