Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 May 1991

Vol. 409 No. 2

Written Answers. - European Social Charter.

John Bruton

Ceist:

28 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Labour his views on whether qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers should be introduced in respect of the actions necessary to implement the European Social Charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Labour (Mr. B. Ahern)

Qualified majority voting is already in operation in relation to occupational safety and health, which accounts for a substantial number of the measures included in the Commission's Action Programme to implement the European Social Charter.

In the current negotiations at the Intergovernmental Conference on Political Union, there are various proposals for changes in the decision-making machinery in the social policy area, not merely in relation to the implementation of the European Social Charter but for social policy issues generally in the future. These include different formulae for the extension of qualified majority voting, covering such aspects as scope, methods of application, etc. Because of both the immediate and longer-term implications, all of these proposals require the most careful consideration.

The Irish Government's general approach to the question of extended qualified majority voting was explained by the Taoiseach in his reply to Dáil Question No. 2 of 8 May 1991, that is, briefly, that the issue must be considered on a case by case basis, but that the Government are favourably disposed in principle to the extension of qualified majority voting subject to important national considerations.

The Deputy will appreciate that, while the IGC discussions are in progress, it would not be helpful to the Irish negotiating position for me to indicate in detail our attitude to the question of extended qualified majority voting in the social policy area and to the various proposals in that regard which are at present under examination. Our general approach is and will continue to be a constructive one based on our commitment to the achievement of social progress in the Community, while ensuring that important national interests are safeguarded.

The overriding concern for us in relation to Community social policy will be to ensure as best we can that absolute priority is given to the preservation and development of employment. Indeed, we have been pressing very strongly that this should be reflected as the primary objective in any amended provisions of the social policy chapter of the Treaty. We will also try to ensure that any changes in Treaty social policy provisions will enable full regard to be had to the circumstances and concerns of smaller Community member states. This applies to the extension of qualified majority voting and to other Treaty amendments that may be proposed in the social policy area.