Ray Burke
Question:5 Mr. R. Burke asked the Taoiseach if he will comment on the recent survey conducted regarding the lack of knowledge by the public on Europe; and the actions, if any, he intends to take to better inform the public. [9305/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Affairs Information.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the results of "Monthly Surveys of European Opinion (January-March 1995)" which were published by the EU Commission in April.
The Commission publication indicated that 65 per cent of Irish people do not consider themselves to be well informed on European Union matters as compared with an average for the EU as a whole of 59 per cent. The figures quoted in the Commission report equate exactly with the finding in this regard in the report of the Task Force on Communicating Europe which I launched in February last.
I am concerned at the low level of knowledge in Ireland of EU affairs which these surveys have pinpointed. The report of the Task Force on Communicating Europe set out a comprehensive series of recommendations to address this issue. When I launched the report in February last I set out the following priority areas for action on foot of the report: (1) the production of user-friendly information on European programmes and funding; (2) the introduction of a European awareness programme in the second level school transition year; (3) the establishment of a new public access information point as part of the planned re-arrangement of the European Commission Office space in Dublin; (4) a major programme to support audio-visual production of European issues; and (5) advising people of their right to petition the European Parliament on anything in regard to European Union policy and programmes of concern to them.
I have established a new task force focused on implementation of these priorities and of other measures deemed appropriate to further the objective of raising awareness of European issues in Ireland. The task force includes representatives of the Dublin offices of the European Commission and European Parliament and I will be liaising closely with both offices in implementing the objective of raising European awareness in Ireland.
It is my intention to advance as a matter of urgency action on the five priority areas I have referred to and on other appropriate initiatives. My overall objective can be simply stated — I want the Irish people as a whole to be better informed on European issues and I want to ensure that accessible and user-friendly information on the European Union is available to any Irish citizen who requires it.
Will the Minister agree that it is important that new information coming from Europe — information which is vital to the interests of many business people and those involved with the social services — be available in local communities? What progress is being made under the programme, A Government of Renewal, in regard to citizens' information supply? Under the programme there is an arrangement whereby the NSSB and the Director of Consumer Affairs will overhaul the system to provide local information. Will information on European affairs be linked to that development?
The task force which I chair recently considered how we might use outlets of this kind. I will certainly try to tie it in with the necessity for making information available, particularly on a regional basis. This matter is under active consideration. In the 35 disadvantaged areas which I have designated in my role as Minister of State with responsibility for local development, I have already teased out with some of the companies the possibility of pilot schemes where we may be able to make available, through the partnership companies, information in relation to Europe to communities in greatest need. I will bear in mind the Deputy's suggestion and bring it to the attention of the task force.
I offer apologies for the absence of Deputy Ray Burke who is attending the conference in the US. Last year we put forward a proposal for making use of the information services of the Department of Social Welfare, the most extensive network in the country. This would provide a useful base and I urge the Minister to take it into consideration in his deliberations.
I recognise that much progress has been made in that area, not least through the contribution made by Deputy Woods. I will certainly be happy to take his suggestion on board.
During the course of the last European election and in my dealings with Brussels at Council of Ministers meetings I found that citizens are alienated by the language, style and format of directives. Those matters seem to bear no relation to everyday matters affecting ordinary people in ordinary houses in ordinary towns all over Ireland. They see Brussels as alien, far away and not understood.
There is more than a grain of truth in what the Deputy has said. The task force report shows that 55 per cent of people believe the Government has a responsibility to make more information available but most people get their information from the media. The reports they are getting in relation to Europe emanate mainly from Brussels. Certainly many people regard Brussels as foreign. I hope to change that to some extent but I cannot do it all on my own. It has been easy to be good Europeans when we have received such a high level of transfer. It is important that we get across the message that Europe is about peace as well as prosperity. I will be seeking to get across the message of Europe in every way I can.
I suggest to the Minister that he start in the Dáil and that the Joint Committee on European Affairs had better start considering draft regulations and draft directives before they have effect in Ireland. We should put ourselves on a par with the Danish Parliament which, involves and concerns itself with what the Danish Government is doing in Brussels at a stage where something can be done about it and where a democratic input can take place. Will the Minister agree that by contrast in this country we only hear about directives in this House when they are made?
That is correct.
We only hear about regulations when they already have effect. We can do nothing except revoke them if a majority is in favour of doing so. In effect, the stable door is always closed here long after the horse has bolted.
That extends outside the remit of this question. As a Deputy who advocates parliamentary reform — I include in that proper remuneration for Members of Parliament — I would like to see the Joint Committee on European Affairs being involved in every way possible. Under its terms of reference I do not think it can go as far as the Deputy would wish. As an indication of my goodwill and my anxiety to work closely with the committee I will be going before the committee within the next fortnight, before the Reflection Group meets, to put forward our ideas in preparation for the Intergovernmental Conference.
I agree with the views expressed by Deputy McDowell. I always found it frustrating at the Council of Social Affairs Ministers that a set position was outlined in a file showing the position the officials had reached on a particular point before I came to do my business. I always decided what approach I would take. Deputy McDowell's suggestion would help to break down the mystique of Brussels. The Minister from Denmark goes to the Council of Ministers with the mandate from the Danish parliament to state what they think of a forthcoming directive before it is approved.
We are having statements rather than questions.
The question asked if I would comment on the recent survey. I will certainly bear in mind the comments Deputies have made but it is up to the Joint Committee on European Affairs to make its own suggestions in this regard. I have supplied the information requested.
Question No. 6 has been postponed. We now proceed to questions nominated for priority. Question No. 7, please.