Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Nov 1991

Vol. 412 No. 3

Written Answers. - Proposed Committee of Regions.

Joseph Doyle

Question:

14 Mr. Doyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline his views on the proposed Committee of the Regions upon which Ireland would have nine seats in accordance with the Luxembourg Draft Treaty of the Union of the European Community; and the way in which Ireland's places on this body would be used.

Michael Lowry

Question:

73 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline his views on the proposed Committee of the Regions upon which Ireland would have nine seats in accordance with the Luxembourg Draft Treaty of the Union of the European Community; and the way in which Ireland's places on this body would be used.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 73 together since they have been put down in identical terms.

The proposal to establish a Committee of the Regions stems primarily from a concern of Germany which wishes to provide a forum in which the views of the German Laender could be expressed on a range of Community issues.

The proposals, which is included in the Luxembourg Draft Treaty, has not yet been formally discussed within the Inter-governmental Conference.

As the Deputies are aware, for the purposes of Community policies, in particular the structural funds, Ireland is classified as one region. We are able to provide views on the operation of the regional policies of the Community in the Council of Ministers through our representatives in the European Parliament and through the Economic and Social Committee.

The establishment of an additional body may help to further support the interests of the regions and we will consider the proposals in the Luxembourg Presidency's draft treaty very carefully. We will argue that it should be closely associated, as presently proposed, with the Economic and Social Committee and should have a consultative role. As regards the question of Irish representation, this is an issue which the Government will consider in the light of the outcome of the negotiations on the Committee of the Regions in the Inter-governmental Conference.