asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he has inaugurated any measures to improve the working relationship between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers during the Irish Presidency of the EC.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Bodies Working Relationship.
1.
As the Deputy will be aware the Minister stated in his speech introducing the Irish Presidency programme of work to the European Parliament on 19 July 1979 that it was his intention to give priority to the establishment and maintenance of co-operation between the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.
A set of procedures governing relations between the European Parliament and the Council has been developed over the years and it has and will continue to be the intention of the Irish Presidency to see to it that these procedures are applied as effectively as possible.
The Minister has also been anxious to see if the operation of these procedures could be improved and the Council at their meeting on 18 September 1979 on his suggestion agreed to examine what could be done to achieve this. Work is proceeding on this examination.