Vol. 395 No. 3
3 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach when he proposes to circulate to Dáil Éireann the draft of the Environmental Charter of which he spoke during the visit of the EC Commission for consideration by Members of the Oireachtas prior to its circulation within the Council of Environment Ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is not the practice in matters of this kind to proceed as outlined in the Deputy's question.
Would I be right in assuming that, following the reply from the Taoiseach on 30 January, there is no draft document available at this stage?
There is not a final draft. Work is proceeding on this declaration, as is normal in this sort of operation.
I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. Does he see this Parliament having any role at any stage in discussing that document prior to its promulgation in Dublin Castle?
That would not be the usual procedure.
I know it is not the usual procedure, but neither is the procedure the Taoiseach has just outlined to go into a Presidency without the draft document already available.
Rubbish.
Procedure has been broken in all directions. Does the Taoiseach not see some small role for the Dáil in relation to discussing the draft document?
There are some Members of this Dáil whose views I would value.
We are all equally elected here. If the Taoiseach feels it necessary to have a public relations person in Strasbourg at the European Parliament, does he not feel that the support of this Parliament for such a document might equally be necessary?
We are straying into other matters again.
It would be a most clear departure from normal procedures. Normally a document of this kind is a function of the Presidency and would come within the ambit of the Council of Ministers and the Dublin Summit.
Would the Taoiseach——
Question No. 5.
Would the Taoiseach agree he has never been rigid on departure from normal procedures and he might make a breach in relation to normal procedures in this regard?
