asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with the President of the European Commission; if the matter of the nomination of a European Commissioner by the Irish Government was discussed with the President; if he gave an indication of the amount of financial assistance this country is likely to receive under the EC Social and Regional Funds to compensate for the effects on this country of the completion of the internal market by 1992; if the President outlined proposals for initiatives in the social area to help this country cope with the impact of the internal market; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Talks with European Commission President.
4.
I refer the Deputy to the Joint Declaration which I made with President Delors, copies of which have been placed in the Library.
President Delors' discussions with the Government covered Community matters with particular reference to the reform of the Structural Funds and the completion of the Single European Market. The social dimension of the Single Market was dealt with by President Delors in his address to a conference for trade unions affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on 28 October at which I was glad to be present. I am placing copies of his speech and that delivered by the Tánaiste on my behalf at the conference in the Library. It was a most constructive conference.
The Minister seems to have missed the first part of my question in relation to the appointment of a commissioner. Will he indicate if that matter was raised by Mr. Delors, whether there was a response from him or the Taoiseach to it and will he let us know here today who that commissioner may be and when he or she may be appointed? May I also ask the Tánaiste if he could indicate what the Government's response was to Mr. Delors' speech in relation to the social dimension of the internal market?
The Deputy will get an opportunity of reading the Taoiseach's speech which I read and Mr. Delors' speech. It will be seen that both speeches were very much on all fours with each other with regard to the particular aspect of the social dimension. There was complete understanding between President Delors and the Taoiseach and between President Delors and this Government when we met him as a group. The main thrust as he sees it and as we see it is to emphasise the social dimension both in regional and in personal terms. The Deputy will get an opportunity of seeing that in the Library when he looks at the two texts. So far as the other question is concerned, it was not raised by President Delors. It stands there and the announcement will be made at the appropriate time.
A Deputy
At the Fine Gael Ard Fheis.
May I ask the Tánaiste if he would put on the record of the House — I can appreciate that speeches may have been made by himself on behalf of the Taoiseach — whether this Government support the programme of social reform which is being promoted by the President of the EC Commission?
Of course we do.
Why can the Government not make up their mind about who is to be Ireland's EC Commissioner?
The EC institutions do not think like that at all.
(Interruptions.)
The Deputy is light years away from their thinking. As President Delors rightly said, this is a matter of no urgency. It is a matter which he will consider in global terms when all the names are to hand; that is it, no more, no less.
Does the Tánaiste not think this is a fairly important job and that the people should know that they are getting it in reasonable time?
Every time Deputy Bruton gets up he does not help——
May I ask the Tánaiste what help he requires? If he wants help perhaps he should ask for it. Why can he not make up his mind?
The very remarks being made by Deputy Bruton are not helpful and debase the whole coinage of the matter. We are dealing with this in a responsible manner with the Commission and we will deal in a responsible manner in particular with the President of the Commission with whom we have outstandingly good relations as Deputy Bruton is aware. The matter is being handled in a responsible manner.
What is the Tánaiste talking about?
I can assure the Deputy and his——
Ceist 6.
(Interruptions.)
I want to make some progress. There are a number of Deputies offering.
In relation to the appointment of a commissioner, on previous occasions the Tánaiste has told us that some restructuring of the Commission is expected and that the Government's position is that they are carefully monitoring and observing. May I ask him why it is that other countries have found is wise to appoint their commissioners so much earlier? Why do we seem to know much more about it than every other country, many of them more influential and powerful that we are?
Because we happen to be a very important and respected Administration who respect the Commission's confidences and they respect our confidences. There is a mutual continuing rapport between this Government and President Delors. We know exactly what is happening and we are telling him before we tell you.
The next question, Ceist 6.
Mrs. Hussey rose.
I am sorry, Deputy.
I was offering.
I know that, Deputy, but I called a member of your front bench.