Vol. 410 No. 2
43 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether it is the practice of his Department to brief Irish members of the Economic and Social Committee on matters of contemporary relevance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Following discussions four years ago between Irish members of the Economic and Social Committee and officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs an arrangement was formalised to ensure that Irish members of the Economic and Social Committee obtain official briefing on issues of interest to them. Official liaison officers were designated in my Department and in all Government Departments with the task of co-ordinating responses to any requests for information which come from Irish members of the Economic and Social Committee. In addition to this arrangement, regular informal contacts exist between Irish members of the committee and our Permanent Representation in Brussels.
I am satisfied that my Department are fully aware of their obligation to supply information in response to requests for briefing which are initiated by members of the Economic and Social Committee.
It is appropriate to recall that all members of the Economic and Social Committee serve in a personal capacity: that we impose no obligation on them to reflect a Government line in their consideration of commission proposals; and that they are specifically prohibited under the Treaty from being subject to any mandatory instructions. The briefing arrangement, which has existed now for several years, respects this situation and acknowledges that the initiative in seeking information on an issue lies largely with the committee members.
I believe that the Economic and Social Committee play a useful role in the Community's decision making arrangements and the Irish members play a valuable role in influencing the opinions which the committee prepare on commission proposals. From time to time in the course of our contacts with the Irish members either in Brussels or in Dublin we do of course advise them of our concerns on major issues which are under consideration by the Economic and Social Committee and we will of course continue to do so.
