asked the Minister for Labour if he will make a statement indicating the proposals, if any, he has placed before the other EC members for development of Community policies in Ireland's interest.
Written Answers. - European Community Policies.
16.
At the outset I should explain that, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Treaty, the basic right of initiative in making proposals for consideration by the EC Council generally rests with the Commission.
Since becoming Minister for Labour, I have participated in a number of meetings with other European Ministers for Labour and Social Affairs at which proposals for employment growth and measures to combat long term unemployment were discussed. I have pressed for priority to be given to measures to deal with unemployment. In particular, I have pressed for adoption of an action programme, providing for more Community resources, to tackle long term unemployment and for the long term unemployment to be designated, along with young persons, as special groups for assistance through the European Social Fund.
I have also had discussions with Vice President Martin, Commissioner for Social Affairs, Education and employment on matters of special Irish concern especially with a view to securing increased resources in the context of the review of the Community structural funds. In that connection, I have pressed for the provision of additional assistance from the European Social Fund for the less-developed regions of the Community, including the whole of Ireland, and in particular for operations of specific interest to this country such as the social employment scheme.
On Tuesday next, 1 December, I shall be attending another Council of Social Affairs Ministers which will discuss measures to combat long term unemployment, an action programme for the vocational training of young people, an action programme to help the disabled, and measures to protect the safety and health of workers in the workplace. In those discussions I will ensure that Ireland's interests are made fully known and taken fully into account in any decisions reached.