John Bruton
Ceist:2 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if, in the light of recent events, he will give further consideration to the establishment of a foreign affairs committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Affairs Committee.
The Government are proceeding to establish a foreign affairs committee.
When is the likely termination of this process?
In a matter of weeks.
How many weeks?
Please, let us avoid repetition.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that the promise to establish a committee of this kind has been made so often in the last two years that one must remain somewhat sceptical about anything other than a precise time frame — to use a well practised term — in regard to the establishment of this committee? When does the Taoiseach propose to establish a foreign affairs committee?
The Deputy can be assured that it will be established in my time, when the time is ready to establish it, and that will probably be in a matter of weeks.
How many weeks?
Some weeks shorter than it took the Deputy to do the same job.
(Interruptions.)
The Minister should accept the fact that he was asked to step aside.
(Interruptions.)
I wish to ask the Taoiseach if he will clarify a matter for me. He has been under pressure for some time to form a foreign affairs committee. in fact, since 1987. In the recently revised Programme for Government there was mention of an extension of powers of the Joint Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities. This morning he said that to do that legislation would be necessary. Will he, therefore, clarify what he has in mind at this stage? Does he intend, in the next couple of weeks, to introduce legislation to extend the powers of the EC Committee or is it intended to set up a separate foreign affairs committee as was hinted at in relation to one of his former colleagues and a post being found for him?
This position has been outlined by me on a number of occasions in this House. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities are having their remit and powers extended and that will require legislation. Side by side with that it is the intention very shortly to set up a foreign affairs committee. The Oireachtas Joint Committee have a very restricted remit which confines them to European Community affairs. It is proposed to have, in addition, a much wider ranging committee who will deal with the whole ambit of foreign affairs.
Am I right in thinking that the Taoiseach's lack of clarity, his vagueness, in respect of this explicit commitment in the joint programme is indicative of the Government's commitment to all the other matters in the joint programme?
That remark is ráiméis. The position is absolutely clear. The Programme for Government calls for the extension of the remit of the Oireachtas Joint Committee and I am indicating that that is under way, but it will require legislation because that committee was set up originally by legislation. That is the only commitment in this area in the programme. However, it is separate from the programme. In addition I have always indicated that it was my intention to set up a foreign affairs committee and that will now be proceeded with.
Is Deputy Lenihan back on board?
Will the Taoiseach indicate if this committee will be established before the Maastricht Summit in December? In other words, will the committee have an opportunity to address the issues arising at the Maastricht Summit? Will the Taoiseach also indicate if it is intended to consult the parties in Opposition with regard to the Chair of this committee and the terms of reference?
I propose certainly to consult the parties opposite about the terms of reference of the foreign affairs committee.
And the Chair?
A Cheann Comhairle——
This is my question.
Please allow the Chair to intervene, Deputies. I want to facilitate Deputies Farrelly and Bruton.
Is it intended to provide an allowance for the chairman of the foreign affaris committee it is intended to set up?
There is a proposal in the Joint Programme for Government to provide allowances for the chairmen of all committees.
I wish to clarify the position in respect of the reconstitution of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities. Do I understand the Taoiseach to state that until such time as the necessary legislation is introduced the reconstitution of that committee will not proceed?
No. I am not saying that. We have agreed in principle that the remit and functions of that joint committee should be extended as has been suggested in the report from that committee. That can proceed at any time, but in order for the committee to have the full powers and functions, that has to be done by legislation because the committee were established by legislation.
Will the Taoiseach agree that the change in the terms of reference of that committee and the speaking rights of MEPs, which is the core point about the initial legislation, could proceed in advance of that legislation? They will not have voting rights but simply the right of attendance?
I never said they had not.
Why can we not have a commitment to establish it before Christmas if legislation is not the barrier?
The committee have been established. The committee are in being but to have their terms of reference changed there must be legislation because that committee were set up by legislation. There is nothing to prevent the committee going ahead in the interim with any of the functions that they wish to exercise.
Has a deal been made with Deputy Lenihan?
I hope the Taoiseach does not mind me asking the following question: Does the Taoiseach's renewal of his baptismal vows in relation to the establishment of a foreign affairs committee today have anything to do with the mature, responsible and constructive approach of Deputy Lenihan in recent days?
The Taoiseach will never have jobs for all of them.
That is a most unworthy suggestion.
(Interruptions.)