John Bruton
Question:361 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any plans exist to convene further intergovernmental conferences to revise the European Community Treaties.
Written Answers. - Revision of EC Treaties.
Article N of the Treaty on European Union sets out the circumstances under which an intergovernmental conference (IGC) may be convened. In effect, any member state or the Commission may submit a proposal to the Council for the amendment of the treaties and if the Council agrees an IGC can be convened to consider the matter.
As regards specific issues arising from the recent IGCs, Article N provides for an intergovernmental conference to be convened in 1996 to examine those provisions of the treaty for which revision is envisaged. The areas concerned are: the scope of the co-decision procedure [Article 189b (8)]; the framing of a common defence policy [Article J.4 (6)]; the introduction of individual chapters of energy, civil protection and tourism; [Declaration of the Intergovernmental Conference attached to the Treaty]; and review of the classification of Community acts; [Declaration].
In addition, as stated in a Declaration attached to the Treaty on European Union, the member states will examine, before the end of 1992, the questions relating to the number of members of the Commission and the number of members of Parliament. If it is decided to change the numbers, an intergovernmental conference will be formally convened to confirm any agreement reached and to amend the relevant treaty articles.