asked the Taoiseach the progress, if any, made at the recent meeting in Luxembourg towards the creation of an adequate EEC regional policy to benefit the more underdeveloped countries of the enlarged EEC; and if any area of agreement was reached between Ireland's representatives at that meeting and the EEC Commission on this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Regional Policy.
1.
The Deputy is presumably referring to the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Ten in Luxembourg on 26th June which was one of a series being held to prepare for the summit meeting planned for next October. Decisions on the substance of the subjects which are being proposed for the summit agenda will be a matter for the heads of State or Government of the Ten. One such subject is economic and monetary union and we and other countries have been pressing that the development of a comprehensive regional policy for the Community shall form an integral part of the discussions and decisions at the summit on this subject.
There is no question, in the context of the preparatory meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Ten or the summit meeting, of agreements being reached between this country and the Commission.
Could the Taoiseach tell us what position on the agenda was given to regional policy? Was it given a high position or a low position?
There is no agenda at all yet.
Am I correct in believing that the purpose of this Foreign Ministers' meeting was to settle the agenda for the summer?
No, the heads of State or Government will settle the agenda.
What was the meeting for?
To prepare for the summit meeting and to discuss the kind of subjects that ultimately the heads of State or Government will agree upon.
It is mystifying.
It is quite straightforward.
(Interruptions.)
You can discuss the proposals, but they do not know what they are.
Does Deputy FitzGerald understand what I said?
(Interruptions.)
No. They were discussing the matters which will be discussed.
The Deputy will not get away with this "smart Alec" attitude. His colleague wanted to know at what point of priority in the agenda regional policy would come. I said that was not settled and that they were discussing subjects for the agenda so that the heads of State or Government would settle ultimately what the agenda would be. That is quite clear. Surely preparatory meetings are necessary.
The Taoiseach said there was no agenda.
It arose out of the specific question on the point of priority. I said there was no agenda yet. That is as clear as daylight.
Discussions about discussions.