Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 November 2004
88 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the manner in which new countries are accepted into the OECD; if Ireland has used its position to support any application for OECD membership; if an application for OECD membership on behalf of a member state of the EU has been vetoed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30059/04]
View answerThe OECD convention and rules of procedure do not set out specific criteria or a detailed procedure concerning accession to the organisation. In the past, the accession of new members has been based on pragmatic procedures adapted to the particular case under consideration. Unanimity is the general rule. The OECD is engaged in a fundamental review of the organisation. One issue being considered in this context is the future process of enlargement.
As a member of the OECD since its foundation in 1961, Ireland supported the accession of the ten members which have joined subsequently, including four of the ten new EU member states. Pending the completion of the reflection on future enlargement in the context of the review referred to, the question of formally considering applications for membership does not arise.
However, almost all of the new EU member states that are not already member countries of the OECD participate as observers in many of its subsidiary bodies and committees. Such observer status allows them, as well as other prospective members, to familiarise themselves with the OECD's working methods and to prepare for membership.
Ireland has consistently supported the participation of new EU member states as observers in the activities of the OECD. Equally, we have made clear that we strongly support membership of the organisation for those of our new EU partners that wish to join. The OECD's preparatory work would, of course, need to be completed and applicants would be expected to be able to meet the accession requirements in place at the time of accession. For our part, we are working towards an early resolution of all the issues arising in the context of the preparatory work.
There has been no formal accession procedure under way since the Slovak Republic acceded in 2000. Pending the completion of the review referred to, the question of a vote or a veto on an application for future membership has not arisen.
