asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, if he will make a statement on the French proposal to have a re-organised EC Presidency with a new restructured secretariat.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EC Presidency.
3.
There is no such proposal before the Council. I am aware that there has been speculation in the press that suggestions on the reorganisation of the Presidency were made to the Committee of Wise Men. The committee were nominated and given a mandate by the European Council at their meeting in Brussels, in December 1978 to study the adaptations necessary to the Community institutions in the context of the forthcoming enlargement of the Community.
The report may make some suggestions as to how the Presidency should carry out its work. Since the report will be considered by the European Council at their meeting in Dublin on 29-30 November, it would not be appropriate for me to say any more at this stage.
Would the Minister agree that there is on record a proposal of the French President indicating a longer period of 12 months for the Presidency of the three larger member countries, Germany, France and Britain, which amounts to a de facto directorate in relation to the Presidency of the Community? Has the Minister and his Department given consideration to this proposal which does not come from an uninfluential quarter but from the President of France?
I cannot really comment on the report of the Three Wise Men in advance of its being handed over at the European Council. I am aware of the rumours the Deputy referred to.
They are more than rumours.
I am aware of the matters the Deputy has mentioned. I am sure Deputy FitzGerald will recall that a memo was submitted to the Government on 25 March 1975 which stated as follows in relation to the Tindemans suggestion: To extend the term of office of the Presidency, "Ireland would prefer the existing system which seems to work satisfactorily in practice". It is fair to say that Ireland's Presidency in 1975 was a credit to this nation and Ireland's Presidency in 1979 is a continuation of the excellent work then done. As far as Ireland is concerned we are sticking out for the six months.