Michael D. Higgins
Question:17 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the initiatives Ireland proposes to take in relation to the present position in Sarajevo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conflict in Yugoslavia.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:19 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether Ireland has contributed or will contribute to the relief of the people of Sarajevo; and whether any request has been made by the UN for peacekeeping troops or other support.
Alan M. Dukes
Question:23 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether a request for additional troops will be sought from his Department for a UN peacekeeping mission to Eastern Europe.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:40 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he intends taking any steps at EC or UN level to bring to an end the civil war in Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Mervyn Taylor
Question:49 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement outlining the discussions, if any, he has had with his European Community counterparts on the situation in the former State of Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement in general on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 19, 23, 40 and 49 together.
Ireland's policy in relation to the conflict in Yugoslavia is based on the following main elements: First, active support and encouragement for the European Community's peace process, conducted through the conference chaired by Lord Carrington. We consider that this provides the best forum for a comprehensive, negotiated settlement. Second, support for and involvement in the efforts on the ground in Yugoslavia by the European Community's monitor mission and the UN force (UNPROFOR) to bring about an end to hostilities and to create the conditions in which negotiations can succeed. Third, support for international action, in particular through the sanctions imposed by the Community and by the UN Security Council on Serbia and Montenegro. Fourth, support for humanitarian action to relieve the plight of the displaced persons or refugees and those suffering in the siege of Sarajevo.
In reporting to Dáil Éireann last week on the Lisbon European Council, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs set out the approach of the European Community. The Council's comprehensive declaration on the matter, copies of which have been placed in the Dáil Library, reflects a number of ideas which Ireland put forward. We will continue to try to ensure that the momentum of the European Community's peace process is maintained.
On the ground, we are actively involved in both the EC monitor mission and the UN peacekeeping force, UNPROFOR. In addition to six Irish personnel currently serving with the EC monitor mission, there are now six Irish military observers and 20 members of the Garda Síochána serving with UNPROFOR. Two observers are being assigned to duties at Sarajevo airport. Any further requests from the UN will receive careful consideration by the Government.
I wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the courage and dedication of the Irish personnel who are serving in dangerous and difficult conditions in the former Yugoslavia.
As regards further international action, the collective weight of the European Community, and the international community generally, should continue to be applied to Serbia and Montenegro to encourage their full and constructive participation in the work of the conference. To that end, Ireland advocated the imposition by the European Community of a wide range of economic sanctions. With our EC partners, we also called upon the UN Security Council to adopt similar economic measures. On 30 May, the Security Council responded decisively by adopting, in their Resolution 757, a range of political and economic sanctions. These have been fully implemented by Ireland.
In addition, together with our EC partners we are committed to seeking the suspension of the representatives of Serbia and Montenegro in the CSCE and other international fora; we have not recognised Serbia and Montenegro's claim to be automatic successor state to the former Yugoslavia. This will be considered in the light of an opinion of the legal Commission of the EC Peace Conference.
Other issues being addressed include appropriate arrangements for guaranteeing the status and rights of minorities — for example in the Serb province of Kosovo, and also the question of Macedonia's admission to the international community.
Finally, there is the urgent need to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those who are most in need, particularly those who have been cut off in Sarajevo. The European Council discussed the appalling plight of the people there who have suffered for months without food, water or electricity and have been subject to constant shelling from heavy artillery. Although no party to the conflict can escape blame, by far the greatest share of responsibility falls on the Serbian leadership and the Yugoslav army whom they control. The European Council focused specially on the immediate need to re-open Sarajevo airport to enable food and medicines to get through. We proposed that the UN Security Council should urgently take the necessary measures.
On 29 June, the Council authorised the deployment of some 1,100 additional personnel from the UN peacekeeping force in Croatia to ensure the airport's security and functioning. As a result, humanitarian assistance is beginning to reach the people of Sarajevo.
The need for large scale aid is clear. The Government have allocated, from the disaster relief fund of the Department of Foreign Affairs, £100,000 to assist displaced persons in Sarajevo and elsewhere in Bosnia-Hercegovina. This assistance will be channelled through the UN High Commission for Refugees.
We would all agree with the well-deserved compliment to those who are trying to maintain peace and also with the urgency of getting humanitarian aid through to those who so badly need it. In relation to what are sometimes conflicting views being put forward by the G7 group, will the Minister confirm that the specific Irish approach towards the problem will be governed by UN initiatives, particularly Chapter 7 initiatives, and will be in the context of the United Nations CSCE process?
I assure the Deputy in that regard. Already we have made that position clear.
The Minister's reply stresses the European Community's position — members of the European Community and members of the G7 group. There was also the initiative of President Mitterrand. May I take it from the Minister's reply that the discussions among the members of the Community our position will be to assist on the role of the UN CSCE process being the prime source of an Irish attitude to the current problem?
I can assure the Deputy in that regard.
Can we proceed now to Question No. 18 in the name of Deputy Jim O'Keeffe?
Deputy O'Keeffe cannot be present due to illness. Could written replies be given to his questions?
That can be acceded to.
I expect that one of these questions No. 20, is being taken with Questions Nos. 25, 26, 31, 66, 70 and 79 so we would be entitled to an oral reply.
Thank you, Deputy. Questions Nos. 18 and 21 are for written answer, then.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:20 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the follow-up on the part of the Government to the Maastricht Referendum with particular reference to (a) his views on whether for any future referendum, there should be more information made available, (b) the way in which it is proposed to handle the neutrality issue in the context of the Western European Union and (c) the proposals to deal with the Committee of the Regions, and to nominate representatives thereto; and whether he will press to establish its headquarters in Ireland.
Michael D'Arcy
Question:25 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the target date for the selection of the nine Irish representatives on the new European Regional Committee; when he expects the committee to hold its first meeting; and whether Ireland has been considered for the possible location for the secretariat to this committee.
Joseph Doyle
Question:26 Mr. J. Doyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the target date for the selection of the nine Irish representatives on the new European Regional Committee; when he expects the committee to hold its first meeting; and whether Ireland has been considered for the possible location for the secretariat to this committee.
Louis J. Belton
Question:31 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the target date for the selection of the nine Irish representatives on the new European Regional Committee; when he expects the committee to hold its first meeting; and whether Ireland has been considered for the possible location for the secretariat to this committee.
Garrett Fitzgerald
Question:66 Dr. FitzGerald asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the target date for the selection of the nine Irish representatives on the new European Regional Committee; when he expects the committee to hold its first meeting; and whether Ireland has been considered for the possible location for the secretariat to this committee.
Michael Joe Cosgrave
Question:70 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the target date for the selection of the nine Irish representatives on the new European Regional Committee; when he expects the committee to hold its first meeting; and whether Ireland has been considered for the possible location for the secretariat to this committee.
Tom Enright
Question:79 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the target date for the selection of the nine Irish representatives on the new European Regional Committee; when he expects the committee to hold its first meeting; and whether Ireland has been considered for the possible location for the secretariat to this committee.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 25, 26, 31, 66, 70 and 79 together.
As the Deputy is aware the proposal contained in the Eleventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 1992, was approved by the people in a referendum on 18 June. The Provisional Referendum Certificate outlining the results in each constituency was published inIrish Oifigiúil on 23 June, 1992.
A Final Referendum Certificate will issue if, after 21 days from the publication of the result inIrish Oifigiúil, the Master of the High Court informs the Referendum Returning Officer that no referendum petition has been presented or that any petition presented has become null and void. It is only after these steps have been taken that the Eleventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill will be presented to the President for signature.
The next stage in Ireland's ratification procedures will require an amendment to the European Communities Act, 1972, as amended, to make the relevant provisions of the Treaty on European Union part of the domestic law of the State.
Draft heads of a Bill are being prepared and will be presented to Government shortly. It is intended, at this stage, that the Bill will be presented early in the autumn. I believe it is important when a referendum is to be held that full and adequate information should be provided to the electorate. As regards the question of making information available for any future referendum, however, I do not think it is possible to anticipate what the specific need will be until the subject matter of the referendum is known.
With regard to the Western European Union the Deputy will be aware of the provisions of the Maastricht Treaty which would enable the European Union to request the Western European Union to elaborate and implement decisions and actions of the European Union which have defence implications. The Government have made it clear that Ireland does not intend to become a member of the Western European Union. But, in view of the provisions of the European Union Treaty, the Government believe that observer status would have a number of advantages in ensuring that Ireland is fully informed of developments in the Western European Union which might have a bearing on discussions in the European Union.
Attendance as an observer at the Western European Union would not require Ireland to undertake any mutual defence commitments or military obligations under the Western European Union Treaty.
The proposed committee of the regions cannot become operative until the European Union Treaty comes into effect. Article R of the Treaty provides that the Treaty shall enter into force on 1 January 1993 at the earliest or on the first day of the month following the deposit of the instrument of ratification of the last signatory state to take this step. In anticipation of entry into force of the Treaty each member state has been asked to submit a list of its nominations for membership and alternate membership of the committee. The question of the nomination of Irish members and alternates to the committee is being considered by the Government and will be completed by that date.
During the negotiations on the Treaty the member states agreed a Protocol to the Treaty which provided that the committee of the regions would have a common organisational structure with the existing Economic and Social Committee. As this latter committee meets in Brussels and its secretariat is based there, the question of the location of the committee of the regions elsewhere did not arise.
In relation to the proposed committee of the regions, will the Minister give me an assurance that the Irish representatives to the European Regional Committee will be elected and not selected?
As this matter has not been decided, I cannot at this stage give any assurance in that regard. As I said in my reply, decisions have to be made by the Government. That has not happened yet.
Is it the case that it was the clear intention of the framers of the Maastricht Treaty that the committee of the regions should be a democratic body representing democratically elected representativess of the regions? It was clearly understood in the negotiations on the Maastricht Treaty that any attempt by the Irish Government to introduce county managers or other appointed people in place of directly elected representatives would be a clear perversion of the intentions of the framers of the Maastricht Treaty? Would the Minister agree that it is indicative of the Government's complete lack of commitment to regional development if, even at this late stage, he is unable to answer questions as to the way the Irish representatives on that committee are to be elected?
I do not want to get into an argument with the Deputy about commitment to regional development. I recall actions taken by the Deputy's Government when in office which were not very conducive to sound regional development.
The Minister should answer the question.
For instance, there was the scrapping of the decentralisation programme——
I said, answer the question.
——on their first day in office. That is beside the point.
It is beside the point.
There are several possibilities to take into account when dealing with this issue. The matter is not one upon which a decision has been made, as the Deputy is aware. There are a number of options——
What are they?
——that will be considered fully and carefully by the Government, and in due course decisions will be made.
The Minister dealt with several issues in his reply. In relation to the proposed committee of the regions, I ask the Minister for an assurance — indeed, Deputy Bruton put this request but I do not consider he received an adequate reply — that unelected officials will not be sent to represent the regions of this country on the committee of the regions? Ireland is entitled to have nine members on the committee and I seek an assurance that they will be elected representatives and not unelected officials. In relation to the Western European Union, could the Minister say whether the proposal to seek observer status at that body will be brought before the House for approval before being proceeded with?
In relation to the committee of the regions the status, composition and role of the committees are specifically laid down in Articles 198a, b and c. At this stage it has not been decided how that will be done. It is a matter for decision by Government and that will be made in due course.
I apologise to the Chair for my late arrival. No discourtesy to the House was intended but it was due to circumstances beyond my control.
Thank you.
In relation to the proposed committee of the regions, will the Minister say if there is a proposal that four of the representatives be selected by the General Council of County Councils, another four be selected by the Association of Municipal Authorities and the final representative be nominated by the Government? Is that a hard proposition that is being considered?
Several options will be considered in due course. Several bodies have made requests for representation on the committee. For example, the General Council of County Councils have asked for representation. At this stage I am not going to say who the representatives will be. That will be decided by the Government in due course after they take account of the representations made. If Deputies opposite have views on the matter they, too, will certainly be considered. I cannot give details about a decision that has not been taken.
Canvassing is already taking place in the general council.
Is it not patently obvious that the problem is that we do not have elected regional authorities and that the Government are, therefore, at sixes and sevens as to what to do and have not been able to make up their mind about the issue for the past six months? Will the Government establish regional authorities as provided for under legislation enacted by this House?
I have made myself clear on more than one occasion and I do not propose to repeat myself all afternoon. No decision has been taken by the Government in that regard. The matter is under consideration and when that has concluded I presume a decision will be made. That decision will be announced in the House. I have nothing further to add to what I said.
The Minister's Cabinet colleagues are at fault.
I wish to ask the Minister, very briefly — and uncontentiously, I hope — whether he would agree that the occasion of the appointment of nine representatives out of 189 will provide a unique opportunity for the Government to bring representative regional structures into existence. Will the Minister respond to the latter part of Deputy De Rossa's question, that if there is to be a change in Ireland's relationship to the Western European Union, such as observer status, we should have an opportunity to debate it in the House?
So far as I am aware, the question of Ireland's participation as an observer in the Western European Union is one upon which the Government have not taken a decision and in the event of that arising the House will be kept informed.
Would the Minister like to withdraw his last reply because the Taoiseach has gone on record, at least in the news media, saying that observer status is being sought?
I am not responsible for news media speculation about this matter.
It was the Taoiseach who made the statement, not the news media.
I wish to make it clear that only recently Ireland was requested by the German Presidency to consider taking observer status at the Western European Union. Negotiations on that have not even commenced.
It is a long time since the German Presidency of the EC. The Taoiseach in this House said that an invitation was received to go either as a member or as an observer and that Ireland would be accepting the invitation to be an observer at the Western European Union.
I am afraid that this questioning is leading to argument.
I was here on that occasion—
It would seem the sensible thing to do.
My recollection is that it was put to the Taoiseach by the Deputy that we had joined the Western European Union. That is not the position.
A very wise thing to do.
I am not certain that if we were to join the Western European Union as an observer we would need the approval of the House but, as I said, we will certainly keep the House informed of developments. A request has been made that we consider adopting observer status and that has not been finally negotiated or decided.
Is the Minister not aware that——
I am going on to another question.
Under Article 29 of the Constitution we would be obliged to bring such matter before the House.