Mary Harney
Question:12 Miss Harney asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to Italy. [1230/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Visit to Italy.
Bertie Ahern
Question:13 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his official visit to Italy and the Vatican. [1290/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.
I visited Italy, the current holder of the EU Presidency, on 16-18 January 1996 as part of Ireland's preparations for its Presidency of the European Union in the second half of this year. During the visit I had detailed discussions with President Luigi Scalfaro, Prime Minister Lamberto Dini and the President of the Senate, Carlo Scornamiglio. I was pleased to learn that the priorities for the Italian Presidency of the EU coincide to a very large extent with the priorities Ireland intends to have during its Presidency. These priorities include the effective management of the Intergovernmental Conference, the development of successful EU initiatives for employment, the fight against organised crime and drugs, and the progressing of the Economic and Monetary Union process. As a result of these discussions, I am certain that Italy will, as on previous occasions, provide a highly effective EU Presidency.
I agreed with Prime Minister Dini that structured arrangements will be developed to ensure continuity and a smooth transition from the Italian to the Irish Presidency, not least in relation to the chairing of the Intergovernmental Conference. This structured arrangement will begin this week with consultations at official level on the arrangements for the Intergovernmental Conference which will open in March under the Italian Presidency and will continue under our Presidency.
During my visit I also visited the Holy See and I had the privilege of a private audience with his Holiness Pope John Paul II. I also met the Papal Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano. In the course of the meetings I had an opportunity to provide a briefing on the peace process in Northern Ireland.
I also had an opportunity to learn of the Holy See's concerns in the field of international affairs including, in particular, issues of religious liberty in regions of the world where this principle is violated.
During my visit I also had very useful meetings with representatives of the Irish Community in Rome, including a visit to the Irish College, and a meeting with members of the Italian business community who have invested in Ireland.
Did the Taoiseach say he discussed European Monetary Union with the Italian President? Has the Government given any consideration to the membership criteria, rather than the qualifying criteria for European Monetary Union? All the emphasis in this debate seems to be on meeting the criteria necessary for getting involved, but once in there is very little discussion about the criteria for continuing membership. Is the Government giving consideration to this matter and is it likely to be raised during our Presidency?
It is almost certain it will be raised. The Deputy is aware that the German Finance Minister, Mr. Waigel, has placed quite an emphasis on this question of ensuring that not only do member states meet the entry criteria, but that there are criteria, which members will be enforcing, for continued membership after the European Monetary Union has come into being. This is a particular concern of Germany because of its historical experience of inflation. This matter will be covered in the study commissioned by the Minister for Finance which will be published when ready, some time later this year. The Minister for Finance and I are already discussing this matter at every opportunity with our ministerial colleagues in Europe.
Has the Italian Presidency cleared the agenda for the Intergovernmental Conference to be launched in six or seven weeks' time? I know, because of the difficulties Prime Minister Dini is having in his own country, that there is some doubt about how he will move on that but I also note it is agreed to go ahead with the launch. Is it clear at this stage how the business will proceed from Easter onwards?
We had a discussion on that. The Prime Minister gave me an indication that the Intergovernmental Conference would probably proceed by dealing with Pillar I issues first, then with Pillar II issues and then with Pillar III issues in that order, but there was no more detail as to the precise working of the agenda. I expect the Italian Presidency is doing further work on that in advance of the meeting in Turin to launch the conference but it is fair to say that the members will decide the order of the day rather than the Italian, Irish or Dutch Presidency.
Will the Taoiseach reconsider the list of priorities he has outlined for the Irish Presidency in his discussions with the Italian Prime Minister to include the crucial area of the environment? This is a matter on which the Irish people have deeply held views, as can be seen in the court case about to be taken in relation to the whole question of Sellafield. Issues of the environment should feature very strongly, as they did during our green presidency last time around. I was surprised that the Taoiseach's list did not include matters of the environment.
I assure the Deputy that the issue of environmental protection at European level will be a matter of considerable importance during the Irish Presidency. I was simply singling out a number of immediate issues with which we will have to deal, which include the Intergovernmental Conference and the matters I have just referred to, but of course environmental issues will be a major concern.
In relation to the Taoiseach's visit to Italy and the Vatican, can he indicate whether he raised with the Italian Prime Minister the question of altering the status of the Irish language in the European Union context and whether that issue will be placed on the agenda for future Council meetings? During his audience with his Holiness the Pope at the Vatican, was there a discussion on the Irish language in Ireland? Will the Taoiseach inform the House of the details of the discussion, if any, which took place on both of these issues?
I did not discuss the position of the Irish language with the Italian President. It is a matter which may, however, be raised in the context of the Intergovernmental Conference. There was no substantial discussion on Irish language matters with His Holiness the Pope either, although he asked some questions about it during the photo-call.
The Taoiseach will be aware that in his last visit to the European Parliament the late President Francois Mitterand made glowing references to the cultural and heritage value of the Irish language. He used it as an important example to highlight a point he was making. It is interesting that the Pope also referred to the Irish language. However, we were surprised by the Taoiseach's answer in which he failed to point out that there was a Gaeltacht area in his constituency.
Misleading the Vatican.
The Deputy is working hard to find something to criticise. He is paying this Government the greatest possible compliment by moving to this level.
During his meeting with the Pope, did the Taoiseach invite him to visit Ireland again?
No. The normal course is for the Irish bishops to issue such an invitation. If His Holiness wished to visit Ireland, he would be most welcome. However, that initiative would first come from the Irish Catholic bishops.
I was asking the Taoiseach in his capacity of head of State not of the Catholic church.
I did not issue such an invitation as I did not think it would be appropriate to do so without giving the matter considerable thought. The Pope would be welcome to visit and we would like him to do so whenever he can. He conveyed his blessings to the people and his concern about their welfare and the peace process, in particular. In the discussion the Pope demonstrated a deep interest in this country and in the historical identity of the common work of the people with those of his native country, Poland.
The Pope has concerns throughout the world and works tirelessly despite his years, travelling to various countries where people wish to see and hear him. He would be welcome if schedule permitted him to visit. I reminded him that his visit here in 1979 is remembered by everyone, in particular his words as regards peace and his rejection of violence as a means of political action. His speech in Drogheda in that regard is particularly engraved in the minds of people who work for peace. His Holiness will take any opportunity to promote the cause of peace in the country.
Amen.