The interdepartmental European Coordination Committee, which the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, chairs has examined the question of the improvement of public information on European Community matters and the committee has agreed on the terms of a report.
In general terms, the report concludes that the objective of an information strategy on European Community affairs should be to educate and to promote understanding, open communication, confidence, trust and a sense of involvement, participation and goodwill on the part of the general public towards the EC and towards the Government's policies on EC matters. The report covers a number of areas which can be summarised as follows. Government information on EC affairs should be delivered in clear and precise language; it should be presented in an objective and credible manner. There will be better liaison on information matters between Government Departments and the offices of the EC Commission and European Parliament in Dublin and with voluntary agencies such as the Irish Council of the European Movement and the Institute for European Affairs. There should be increased briefings of media representatives on aspects of EC business by Ministers and, where appropriate, by civil servants. Ministers, Departments and State agencies will be asked to have greater regard in their publicity activities to the EC dimension of their work. Greater use will be made of the EC logo and flag by Government agencies. The possibilities for the better dissemination of information via the media will be explored, particularly where local radio is concerned. The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs could have a very important role in the dissemination of information through its proceedings and reports.
