asked the Taoiseach the steps taken by himself and the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Agriculture individually to secure support for the raising of the limit of 1 per cent of VAT revenues for the Community budget.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Community Budget.
2.
Raising the 1 per cent VAT limit would require unanimous agreement in the Council of Ministers, as well as the involvement of other Community institutions, and ratification by the member states in accordance with their constitutional requirements. The issue is related to the examination now under way of the restructuring of the Community budget, on which the Commission have been asked to produce proposals by next June. This restructuring, in turn, poses a fundamental challenge to our interests, particularly in relation to the common agricultural policy.
Both the Ministers concerned and I have been aware of the serious consequences for Ireland of this development and have used every opportunity available to us to win support for our viewpoint and will continue to do so. It would not be appropriate for me to give more detail at this stage about the Government's approach.
Why is it inappropriate for the Taoiseach to say what discussions he has had on this matter with various governments? When we were in Government we were negotiating about regional and fisheries policies and the contacts we had and the subjects of discussion did not have to be kept secret. Would the Taoiseach give an indication of what activity, if any, is going on?
I indicated that it would not be appropriate for me to give details of the Government's approach. The Deputy knows that there is a continuing process in these matters and opportunities arise from time to time which are availed of as they arise. It would not be in order or beneficial or appropriate to indicate what particular individuals might be approached from time to time or what approaches might be made to them.
The Taoiseach's suggestion that matters of this kind are dealt with in an orderly way as occasions arise is a reflection of inertia in the negotiations. Would the Taoiseach not agree that this matter is of at least equal importance to the issues of regional and fisheries policies, in the negotiations of which I, as Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited many countries in Europe and sought and received varying degrees of support from different governments? Why is this less important? Why are the Government not as active as we were on issues of national importance?
I would hope that we would be a great deal more successful than the Deputy in the issues he mentions.
That is not much of a reply. The Taoiseach knows what happened to the fishery negotiations once the Government changed and how our successes were turned within a fortnight into a catastrophe.
I distinctly recall a public altercation between Deputy Fitz-Gerald and the then Minister for Defence over the fisheries policy which was not very edifying or beneficial.
The Taoiseach mentioned other European institutions. If the Government are so concerned about achieving progress in this area and in the fisheries area, where were the Fianna Fáil members of the European Parliament last Friday when votes crucial to this country were taken and lost because of their absence? What does the Taoiseach intend to do about it?
The attendance of individual members at that Parliament is a matter for the individuals concerned. I have no knowledge that any Fianna Fáil representative was missing at any crucial stage.
Is the Taoiseach aware that most commentators agree that the 1 per cent ceiling on EEC expenditure will be exceeded next year and that the Community is, therefore, facing what can be described without exaggeration as bankruptcy? In these circumstances could the Taoiseach say whether this country considers that any individual initiative is required to protect our national interests and to see that Community resources are not dissipated?
The Deputy will understand that this matter can be regarded at two different levels. I have no doubt that the general economic and financial situation of the Community will be discussed at the forthcoming Council. Side by side with that, the Deputy is aware that the Commission are engaged in examining the entire structure of Community finances with a view to bringing forward proposals before next June. The area in which most activity is called for on our part is in the Commission's examination of the proposals, but we will also be raising and discussing the general economic and financial situation at the forthcoming Council.
A final supplementary from Deputy Mitchell.
It appears from the Taoiseach's reply to my previous question that he is washing his hands of responsibility for the performance in the European Parliament——
A question, Deputy.
If I may develop the point——
You may not. You may ask a question.
Is the Taoiseach washing his hands of responsibility for the Fianna Fáil members of the European Parliament? Would he not agree that what goes on in that Parliament is complementary to what goes on in the Commission and at the Council of Ministers and that the onus is on him as head of the Government to see that his supporters in the European Parliament are there to support issues which are crucial to this country?
I do not accept the basis of the Deputy's statement or question and I have complete confidence in the capacity and the diligence of the Fianna Fáil representatives in the European Parliament.
Deputy Lawlor pleaded guilty.
Is the Taoiseach saying——
The leader of the Opposition might at least give example to his disorderly followers.
The Taoiseach should give example to his followers by being present at an important debate.
Is the Taoiseach saying that the Fianna Fáil members were present and voted and is he now being ambiguous?
On a point of order. I wish to give notice that due to the unsatisfactory nature of the replies to the last question I wish to raise them on the adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
Will the Taoiseach be present when it is raised on the adjournment?
(Interruptions.)
Could we have some order, please?
The Donegal fishermen will be very pleased with the Taoiseach's performance last Friday in Strasbourg.
(Interruptions.)
I would remind both sides of the House that there is more than one Donegal in the country and we will be shortly testing the rest of them.