Vol. 420 No. 6
162 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the process by which nine Irish members of the proposed EC Committee of the Regions will be chosen and the nine alternates; whether it is proposed that all members of the Committee will be elected representatives; and, if so, if he will confirm that the numbers chosen would be broadly proportionate to party strengths on the totality of local councils.
Article 198a of the Treaty on European Union provides that members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions shall be appointed by the Council acting unanimously on proposals from the respective member States. The question of nominating Ireland's representatives on the Committee will take into account the practical arrangements for the operation of the Committee. Consideration of these arrangements is underway in Brussels at present and should be completed before the summer break.
The selection of Irish members of the Committee, which will be set up when the Treaty comes into force will follow agreement among the Twelve on the practical arrangements for the Committee.
