asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, if any, which has been made at the inter-governmental meetings reviewing the treaties and political co-operation decided at the last European Council.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Revisions of EEC Treaty.
27.
The work of the intergovernmental conference relating to revisions of the EEC Treaty has focussed particulary on four areas which have been described by the Luxembourg Presidency as "the linch-pins of the discussion". These are: the completion of a single internal market and the use of qualified majority voting to make this possible; increasing the economic and social cohesion of the Community; enhancing the role of the European Parliament; and, increasing the executive and management powers of the Commission.
The Commission has very recently made proposals regarding the further development of the European Monetary System. This area could also possibly become a central one in the work of the conference.
Other Community areas in which the Commission and various member states have submitted proposals include: research and technological development; the environment; cultural co-operation; development aid policy; the question of incorporating a declaration on protection of fundamental human rights in the treaty; and, the question of differentiated participation by member states in Community activities.
The Government are taking a positive approach to the work of the conference by tabling proposals, proposing amendments to proposals tabled by others, and by supporting, where appropriate, proposals from others.
In its work on the question of achieving a single internal market, the conference is focussing on a number of areas where the replacement of an existing unanimity requirement by qualified majority voting would facilitate bringing about that goal. Most member states seem ready to go forward in this regard. There are, however, particular areas such as the harmonisation of taxation, which are sensitive for this country and for other member states, and in respect of which we and others are seeking to have a requirement for unanimous decisions retained.
The question of enhancing the role of the European Parliament is one on which it may not prove easy to reach agreement, since some member states are questioning the need for new treaty provisions to achieve this objective. Various proposals for revisions of the treaty which have been tabled at the conference would give the Parliament stronger influence than at present on the substance of decisions taken by the Council in particular areas of Community activities to be determined. They would also provide that in certain other areas, including the creation of new Community own resources, and treaties to be concluded between the Community and third parties, the agreement of the Parliament would be required before the necessary decisions could be taken. The Government are taking a broadly positive attitude to both kinds of proposals, while seeking to have taken into account some reservations on particular details of these proposals.
The conference is also discussing a number of proposals for strengthening the executive and management powers of the Commission. The Government support this objective. The Government also have a broadly positive approach to the proposals which have been tabled at the conference providing for Community policies in the areas of research and technological development and environment, although we have reservations on some of the details and will seek to have these taken into account.
As part of the Government's approach to the work of the conference we are seeking, together with others who share our concerns, to focus attention on the need to give effective expression, in a revised treaty, to the objective of increasing the economic cohesion of the Community, particularly through the reduction of differences in the levels of economic development as between the regions of the Community, and to provide for the necessary steps in this regard. We have tabled proposals in this sense. There is some cause for satisfaction at the fact that the objective of increasing the cohesion of the Community is now established as one of the main issues in discussions at the conference although opposition has been expressed by some member states to aspects of the Irish proposals and other proposals tabled on the subject. The Government will seek to ensure that this objective is kept well to the forefront in the work of the Conference.
It is too early to say whether the results of the conference will be incorporated in amendments to the existing EC Treaty, in a new treaty, or in some other manner.
As regards the European political co-operation aspects of the intergovernmental conference, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Community, meeting on 22 July on foot of the conclusions of the Milan European Council, instructed the Political Committee to draw up "the text of a draft treaty on the basis in particular of the Franco-German and United Kingdom drafts concerning political co-operation with a view to a common foreign and security policy". The political directors of the Ten, Spain and Portugal, together with the representative of the Commission have met on a number of occasions and are continuing to work on draft elements of a treaty on European political co-operation. The aim is for Foreign Ministers to present proposals to the Luxembourg European Council on 2 and 3 December.
There has been some discussion of the working methods of European political co-operation and, in particular, the idea has been canvassed by several of our partners that the notion of majority voting in EPC be explored. However, a substantial number of partners, including Ireland, are firmly attached to the existing consensus principle, which is central to the manner in which European political co-operation functions.
There appears to be broad agreement on the principle of a secretariat for European political co-operation. We have made clear our view, which is shared by a number of our partners, that the secretariat should be light and compact. It should be aimed at dealing with practical matters without complicating the existing institutional balance of the Community. We see no advantage in the creation of a cumbersome new institution which, in our view, would not meet the practical needs of European political co-operation.
On the question of co-ordination on security matters, the Taoiseach clearly identified the guidelines of our approach both at the Milan European Council and during his subsequent statement to this House on the outcome of that meeting. It is our view that co-ordination on security matters going beyond political and economic aspects should remain outside the framework of European political co-operation. This view is fully understood by our partners.
I want the record to show that that answer took over eight minutes, and I would now like to hear the answers to my two remaining questions.
(Interruptions.)
Please do not waste time. Question No. 29.
I have not heard the answer to Question No. 28.
I could not have answered Question No. 27 any less briefly than I have if the Deputy wanted a comprehensive reply. If I had given a shorter answer he would be complaining about that too.
Now nine of the 15 minutes have gone. May I have a reply to Question No. 28?
(Interruptions.)
I have answered Question No. 28.
Would the Minister repeat the answer to Question No. 28?
On a point of order, Question No. 28 was not answered.
The Deputy is quite right. I thought I had answered it.
I am calling Question No. 28 again.