asked the Taoiseach whether he has arranged any bilateral meetings with other EEC Prime Ministers on the proposed European Monetary System prior to the December Council meeting.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Monetary System.
1.
I am keeping the continuing developments at official, ministerial and Central Bank level under review and, when these are further advanced, I shall seek any meeting on the European Monetary System which I consider desirable, in advance of the European Council in Brussels on 4 and 5 December.
In view of the fact that meetings have taken place between the German Chancellor, the French President, the Italian Premier and the British Prime Minister, and in view of the fact that work on concurrent studies by the group dealing with transfer resources has been tardy, would the Taoiseach not agree it is necessary for him to seek early meetings with other Prime Ministers to avert the likelihood that he may be faced with a simple declaration rather than an actual commitment on a transfer of resources in excess of £650 million at the Council meeting in December?
As I have indicated to the Deputy, I am keeping the situation under review. As the Deputy is aware, the Minister for Finance has been meeting his counterparts. There have been contacts at Central Bank and departmental level and naturally I am getting reports back. As soon as I see the need and the likelihood of a fruitful outcome of these meetings I will certainly make arrangements.
Is the Minister meeting Chancellor Schmidt during his visit to Bonn?
I do not think so.
Would the Taoiseach not accept that, in this case, in view of the particularly tight controls Chancellor Schmidt exercises in these areas of policy, it would be desirable to have a meeting at heads of Government level and that past experience in our own case and in other countries has indicated that?
It is not unreasonable to await the return of the Minister for Finance from Bonn before I seek a meeting with the Chancellor.
Would the Taoiseach not agree this is a very fast changing situation? Only a few weeks are left before the decisive meeting in December. There are reports in the Press that some agreement was reached between the Italians and the Germans on possible transfer resources. Therefore opportunities may be slipping out of our grasp and an early meeting with some of the principals in these negotiations is called for.
I can only say again that when these meetings seem to be desirable and likely to be fruitful I will certainly avail of any opportunity to meet heads of Government. I can assure the Deputy no opportunity will be let slip to make sure our interests are properly looked after.