10 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach if he intends to place any proposals before the Dáil for the establishment of a European affairs committee which would have the power to discuss and monitor Government activities at EC level; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
This matter has been under discussion by the party Whips and final proposals have now been presented to the other parties for consideration. We are still awaiting a response from one of the parties but are hopeful that the committee can be set up before the House goes into recess.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he will have placed in the Library the proposed terms of reference for this committee as not every party in the House are privy to the terms under which this committee are being established? My question refers specifically to a European affairs committee. I understand the Taoiseach in his reply was referring to the foreign affairs committee. In view of the implications of the Maastricht Treaty, does he not believe that we should have a specific committee dealing with European affairs and that it is important for members of this committee to have the power to monitor and influence the discussions and decisions made by the Government at European Council level? Will he confirm that the current terms of reference as I understand them — they may have been changed since May of this year — specifically exclude such a role for the proposed foreign affairs committee?
The Government proposals in this regard were handed out on Thursday, 9 April. The question of establishing two committees was considered by the Minister for Foreign Affairs before any proposals were made. Having fully considered the matter he came to the conclusion that this would lead to demarcation problems between the two committees and, consequently, recommended that one committee be set up, with one or two sub-committees being formed from the overall foreign affairs committee. One of these sub-committees could deal with European affairs. Provision may be made for the attendance of Euro MPs at this committee. That is still the position. Hopefully agreement on this issue can be reached before the Dáil goes into recess so that the committee can be set up.
I asked the Taoiseach if he would arrange for the current terms of reference for this proposed committee to be placed in the Library today so that those of us who are not privy to these discussions would know in advance what precisely is being proposed. Can he confirm or deny that the latest version of the terms of reference will contain a specific provision excluding the committee from dealing with the negotiating position of the Government at Council level?
I am not prepared to get into a detailed discussion on the various aspects of the terms of reference. These will be put before the House for approval when agreement has been reached between the Whips. The Whips are still discussing this matter. That is the forum in which the matter is being dealt with.
Will the Taoiseach confirm to the House that there has not been inter-party agreement on one single committee and that this is still a matter for negotiation between the Whips?
We have tried our best to get agreement. It is true to say that there is not all-party agreement on the matter. We cannot continue indefinitely with disagreement; forward movement will have to take place.
In other words, everyone has to agree with the Government.
A final question, Deputy De Rossa.
Perhaps I can get some information from the Taoiseach if I ask him whether the current terms of reference with the party Whips are the same as those circulated in May of this year or whether they are different?
They are slightly different but I am not going into the details across the floor of the House.
I must protest. Question Time is supposed to be about the Taoiseach giving information to the House. I am seeking information as a Deputy who is not involved and has been excluded from the discussion in relation to this committee. The Taoiseach is being discourteous to this House in refusing to give information.
I am not being discourteous to the House; I am following the normal procedures of the House. If the Deputy has any complaints about the workings of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges he has a remedy. It has nothing to do with me.
The Taoiseach said——
This question must come to finality.
May I ask the Taoiseach what day this week he proposes to bring forward a motion to this House for the establishment of this committee?
I will do so when the Whips have completed their discussions on it.
