asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps being taken by his Department in conjunction with other Government Departments to co-ordinate Ireland's preparation for the Presidency of the EC which commences in January 1990; whether it is the intention of the Government to consult in a formal and on a regular basis with the Oireachtas Committee on Secondary Legislation with a view to maximising Ireland's position in European affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - EC Presidency.
27.
As the Deputy is aware, the successful conduct of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the European Communities requires thorough and co-ordinated preparation. Since the beginning of last year my Department, and all Departments with Presidency responsibilities; have been working together on the necessary preparations. These include the compilation of the Presidency calendar — a complex operation which has recently been completed. Arrangements have been made for the deployment of the necessary staff, including the nomination and training of chairpersons and national delegates for the 200 or so committees and working groups which process Community legislation. Provision has been made for conference accommodation, transport and other facilities in respect of those meetings which will be held in Ireland.
We are keeping all Community policy areas under special review to identify the issues which are likely to be before the Council of Ministers during our Presidency. It is from amongst these issues that the Government will draw its priorities.
This will be the fourth time on which Ireland has assumed the duties of the Presidency. On each of the three previous occasions, the duties were carried out in a competent and efficient manner. I have no doubt that on this occasion, also, the Presidency will be conducted in the efficient fashion which has come to be the hallmark of Irish Presidencies.
As regards the Oireachtas Joint Committee' on Secondary Legislation of the European Communities, the Deputy will be aware that the role of the committee is to consider and comment on both community draft legislation and implementing legislation adopted at national level. It has ably discharged this role since it was first constituted and, I am sure, will continue to do so. The committee's role does not, however, extend to consultation by the Government on the Presidency and I would not propose to depart from this position during the 1990 Presidency.