Vol. 396 No. 9
22 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the steps to be taken during the Irish Presidency of the EC to enhance the role and power of the European Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
While the enhancement of the rôle of the European Parliament is not under formal consideration by the Council of Ministers at present, the role and power of the European Parliament will be an important consideration in the process of the establishment of economic and monetary union which will be the subject of the intergovernmental conference due to meet at the end of the year.
Parliament has indicated that it would wish to see its powers enhanced and has sought to be involved in the preparation of the conference. Ireland accepts that dialogue with the Parliament will be necessary in the course of these preparations.
