Proinsias De Rossa
Question:10 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach his priorities for the special meeting of the European Council due to be held in Brussels on 29 October 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Special European Council Meeting.
The Belgian Presidency has indicated that the Special European Council in Brussels on 29 October will concentrate on implementation of the provisions of the Treaty on European Union including a commitment to political and monetary union as provided for in the Treaty. It is intended that this will clear the way for the next phase of the Community's development, with a particular emphasis on encouraging economic growth, maintaining competitivity and increasing employment. All this of course is fully in accord with Ireland's strategy for the new European Union. As I said in the House on 6 October, in reply to a separate parliamentary question, Ireland's first EC priority at present is to see measures put in place to boost economic growth and employment. My key objective at Brussels on October 29 will therefore be to actively support and participate in the development of measures to give effect to the Maastricht Treaty and to help prepare the way for the December European Council, which is to draw up a strategy for economic growth and increased employment.
In his reply the Taoiseach indicated that the emphasis will be on encouraging economic growth in keeping with the initiative taken by Jacques Delors. Does he intend seeking a revision of the criteria to be applied in regard to economic and monetary union given that these criteria are driving the European Community towards an economic recession? It has no hope of getting out of that recession so long as those rigid and strict criteria continue to be applied.
I do not propose to reopen discussions on a question which has been decided, that is, the criteria to be applied under the Maastricht Treaty but I should say to the Deputy that our over-riding priority at the Summit will be to co-ordinate policies and secure a Community initiative to tackle the unacceptably high levels of employment which are increasing daily throughout the Community.
Does the Taoiseach propose to make a statement to the House on the outcome of this special summit in which he will detail the matter discussed and agreed, including not only the growth initiative to which I referred but specifically a common foreign and security policy with particular reference to proposals on immigration control?
It is normal practice for the Taoiseach to make a statement to the House after each EC Summit. I do not intend to deviate from that policy.
Does the Taoiseach expect at this stage that Ireland's share of Structural and Cohesion Funds up to 1999 to be a major item on his agenda? Has he given any indication to the Presidency that his principal priority will be to retrieve lost ground?
We debated that matter this morning.
Ireland's allocation of funds will be a significant item on the agenda for the Commission tomorrow which, as I am sure the Deputy is aware, is the legal entity responsible for dividing the funds agreed at Edinburgh.
I was referring to the Summit.
The Taoiseach mentioned that one of the objectives will be to reaffirm the commitment to economic and monetary union. Does he believe that any decisions will be taken on where the European monetary institute should be located and, if so, will the log-jam be cleared in regard to where other agencies should be located? Is he optimistic that one of those agencies, particularly in the pharmaceutical and medical area, will be located in Ireland given that we have been bidding for this for some time?
That is a separate matter.
It is expected that decisions will be taken on where the institutions and agencies should be located, including the monetary institute. Some people thought that this matter would be settled at some of the other summits but it was not. I hope that on this occasion the matter will be resolved. We have made a strong case to secure the medicines agency for Ireland. The Minister for Health has been on a tour and I had discussions with the Presidency and other countries at the Council of Europe summit in Vienna. We will continue to make our case for it. It is difficult to say whether this matter will be decided given that unanimity is required. That is not easy to secure these days.
When the question of enlargement is discussed at the special summit will the question of places for smaller countries on the Commission and the Council also be discussed or is it on the agenda?
I cannot give a definitive answer to that question but if it is on the agenda the Deputy may take it that we will oppose any such suggestion. I should point out to the Deputy that the summit conclusions in Lisbon and Copenhagen were very clear on the question of enlargement. The timing of some countries in the Community in raising this issue is bad. The confidence of applicant countries could be undermined if some of the larger countries tried to change the rules at a time when negotiations are taking place on the question of enlargement. Any moves to undermine the influence of smaller nations will be resisted by Ireland. I availed of the opportunity in Vienna to talk to representatives of quite a number of smaller countries to obtain their support which was freely forthcoming. I cannot say at this stage whether the issue will be on the agenda but the Deputy knows what our position is.
The Taoiseach can safely table a motion on that matter, he will have our full support.