asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in so far as this country is concerned in relation to Recommendation No. 895 (1980) of the Council of Europe on the future of small and medium-sized businesses in Europe; if there has been undue delay on the part of the Committee of Ministers in relation to this recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - European Businesses.
271.
Minister for Foreign Affairs (Professor Dooge)
The Government believes that small and medium-sized businesses make an important contribution to economic and social progress, particularly through the creation of employment. Accordingly, while taking into account the need to avoid duplication of effort with other international organisations primarily concerned with the economic aspects of the problem, the Irish delegation in the Committee of Ministers will adopt a positive attitude to proposals which will be made to the committee for work in this field.
Those proposals will, of course, be within the framework of the intergovernmental programme of the Council of Europe. Recommendation 895 was adopted by the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly in July 1980. Having considered the Recommendation on a number of occasions the Committee of Ministers adopted a reply to the Assembly at their 333rd meeting in April 1981.
Questions Nos. 272 and 273 postponed.