asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the venue and locations of meetings of the Council of Foreign Ministers where the question of the EEC Commission super levy proposals were discussed; who represented our Government on each of these occasions; and if he will make a statement on the progress made at each of the meetings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Super Levy Proposals.
20.
The Declaration adopted by the European Council in Stuttgart on 18 June last established a special emergency procedure to ensure the achievement of what it called "the relaunch of the European Community". It was decided that this procedure would take the form of Special Council sessions of Foreign and Finance Ministers. Other Ministers, and the Declaration specifically mentioned Ministers of Agriculture, may also participate, where necessary, in the Special Councils.
To date five such Councils have been held, two in July in Brussels, one each in August and September in Brussels, and the fifth this month in Athens. The first Council was procedural and was attended by the Minister of State at my Department. The Minister of State and I attended the second July Council while he and the Minister for Finance attended the September Council. The August and October Councils were attended by the Ministers for Agriculture, Finance and myself.
As regards the final part of the Deputy's question, I am afraid that it would not be practicable to report individually on each of the Special Council meetings. Overall, the position is that the discussions to date have been moving very slowly with countries restricting themselves for the most part to a reiteration of well-known national positions.
The remaining questions will appear on next week's Order Paper.
(Clare): I submitted a Private Notice Question this morning which was disallowed about the matter I raised this morning and yesterday afternoon. Because it is of national importance and national interest, and also because of the fact that I failed to get confirmation or denial of the newspaper report about it from the Taoiseach on two occasions, it is now a matter of great importance within the Defence Forces. There is discontent and also confusion because it was not denied.
Has the Deputy got a request to make?
(Clare): Could the Chair tell me why it did not qualify under these headings?
I was advised — and I carefully considered the advice I got — to the effect that, while there is ministerial responsibility, there is not sufficient urgency to warrant a Private Notice Question as against an ordinary notice question because there will be plenty of time to take it next week.
(Clare): A Private Notice Question?
No, an ordinary notice question. To qualify for a Private Notice Question it must be sufficiently urgent to justify special notice as against ordinary notice.
What happens if poppy day comes and goes and he does not get it?
Deputy P.J. Sheehan to resume on the Tourist Traffic Bill.
If the Taoiseach had chosen to reply in the negative this morning it would have solved the whole thing.
I will not have it discussed now.