Vol. 407 No. 6
2 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will outline his position on the view expressed by Chancellor Kohl and Prime Minister Andreotti, that parliaments of member states will need to have the conclusion of both the Intergovernmental Conferences ratified before the end of 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Government agree with this view, which is in accordance with the Presidency conclusions of the meeting of the European Council in Dublin on 25-26 June 1990.
I might add, in relation to the series of questions tabled by the Deputy on matters arising in the Intergovernmental Conferences, that the Government believe there should be a wide-ranging national debate on these matters.
Is the Taoiseach just taking Question No. 2?
Yes.
That is all that was announced.
I consider that, in current circumstances, the best way to get this debate under way is to commence with a debate in this House and I shall ask the Government Chief Whip to discuss arrangements to this end with the other party whips.
Does the Taoiseach expect that a referendum will be necessary here in regard to the outcome of the conferences? Will he indicate whether the referendum which will be required here will need to be held before the end of 1992?
The position of the Community is fully on record in that regard. The Community expects that the changes in the Treaties will be formulated and ratified by the member states before the end of 1992. I have already, on a number of occasions, indicated it is almost certain that a referendum will be required in this country.
Is the Taoiseach satisfied that that timetable will be met?
There is no reason to believe that it will not be met. In all the discussions at Community level, when these matters were being debated, there was a widespread insistence that this timetable should be adhered to. The timetable was laid down very early on and there is general agreement among the member states in the IGCs that these two Intergovernmental Conferences should complete their work so that everything can be in place and ratified by the member states by the end of 1992.
With regard to the question of having a debate in this House, does the Taoiseach expect that it will take place during this session?
I think so, yes. That is what I have in mind. As I have already said in the House, it is a question of judgement. The IGCs are still very much at a formative stage and it is a question of when our debate could be most useful and fruitful. On the one hand it might be better to wait a little while until something more concrete emerges from the IGCs for us to focus on in our debate but, on the other hand, perhaps it is necessary that, increasingly, the general public should turn their attention to this matter. Perhaps the best way of doing that is to have a comprehensive debate here fairly soon; the latter would be the best option.
I welcome the announcement by the Taoiseach that we will be having a debate in this House. In advance of the debate, will the Taoiseach say whether the Government will take the opportunity to publish a White Paper or a position paper in relation to this country's position vis-à-vis the Intergovernmental Conferences?
No, I have already indicated that that would not be a satisfactory or appropriate exercise at this stage. I think we might just have the usual type of debate, an introductory statement from the Government side outlining the position as they see it and inviting the views of the House on the issues before the two IGCs.
A final question from Deputy John Bruton.
In respect of this very important debate, will the Taoiseach consider the possibility of allowing multiple interventions in the House where people could ask the Government questions and have them answered instead of the present system of a series of monologues where there is no meeting of minds because of the procedures?
No, I do not think so, that course would not recommend itself to me.
Does the Taoiseach prefer monologues?
It is a matter for the Whips to decide but I do not see any reason to depart from the established procedure on this occasion.
Deputy De Rossa rose.
We must make progress on other questions. I will hear a very brief question from Deputy De Rossa.
In view of the Taoiseach's statement that the Government will not publish a position paper in advance of the debate, would it be possible for him to break with normal procedure and to circulate his contribution — or that of whoever will be speaking on behalf of the Government — some days before the debate to the spokespersons in the Opposition parties so that at least the contributions from this side of the House would relate in a real sense to what the Government are saying on the issue?
That could be a double-edged weapon.
Whatever about it being a weapon, it is not an answer.
