Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 19 Dec 1991

Vol. 414 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Union.

Gerry O'Sullivan

Ceist:

1 Mr. J. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Labour if the outcome of the Maastricht European Council provides a sound legal and policy base upon which the social dimension of European Union can become a reality in Ireland; if the Government remains committed to the rights set out in the Social Charter and to their full implementation in legislation; and if he will give a commitment that the Government will implement national legislation, where necessary, to give effect to the provision of the Social Charter.

Minister for Labour (Mr. O'Kennedy)

It is too early to say what exactly the legal and policy implications will be as a result of the agreement reached at the Maastricht European Council on Political and Economic and Monetary Union. This will depend to a very large extent on the legislation which the Commission will present in respect of the new or expanded areas of competence contained in the new union treaty, in particular the agreement on social policy entered upon by all member states except the UK. The existing Treaty of Rome text on social policy, beyond which the UK was not willing to proceed, remains unchanged.

Ireland remains fully committed to the Community Social Charter of fundamental social rights which is being implemented through a Commission action programme. The range of measures contained in the social action programme has been proposed by the Commission in the context of the existing Treaty. All of those measures which have been discussed so far at the Council of Social Affairs Ministers would require, if approved, implementation by all twelve member states. We are co-operating constructively in the examination of each proposal submitted to the Council under the action programme and where necessary, the required legislation will be introduced to implement the instruments adopted.

It had been hoped that consideration of all the proposals under the Commission's action programme would be completed by the end of 1992, however, it is doubtful that this deadline will be met.

Mr. T. O'Sullivan

I take it from the Minister's response that he has no plans to introduce legislation in keeping with the Social Charter. Will the Minister not agree that by virtue of our association with Britain, it is seen that we were instrumental in watering down the provisions of the charter? Eventually Britain opted out and we remained within the charter during the Maastricht conference. Would the Minister indicate when he is likely to implement some of the sections of the charter that are approprivate to this country?

Mr. O'Kennedy

I would reassure the Deputy that it is the Government's intention to implement the programme in the Social Charter. We have already implemented a whole range of the actions in the Social Charter and that process will continue. I can let the Deputy have the exhaustive list of what we have done, if he wishes. I do not want our position to be confused by any suggestion of association with the British position. From the beginning we have vigorously supported the purpose, spirit and implementation of the Social Charter. The British, for their reasons, gave a different view. Any reservations we have expressed at the Council do not relate to the principle but rather to the conditions for implementation. The House, the trade unions and employers would agree that it is very important to see the conditions that are being proposed as a consequence of the directives under the Social Charter. We want to see those being implemented. To adopt directives at Council level is only one small part of the proposal. To ensure that they are implemented evenly by all member states is another matter. That is what we are anxious to achieve.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy O'Sullivan, a brief question.

Mr. T. O'Sullivan

The statutory minimum wage was the major stumbling block to the British acceptance of the charter. Are we not on the same wavelength as the British? We will not introduce a statutory minimum wage here and that is why perhaps we are being tainted with the British position. There is a kinship between this Government and the Government of Mr. Major on this issue.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is making statements rather than asking questions.

Mr. O'Kennedy

I would like the Deputy to be quite clear. What is there so far under the Social Charter is in the existing Treaty. If what was discussed at Maastricht is to come into place much of it will have to involve a new Treaty. In any event it will have to await actual proposals from the Commission. The statutory minimum wage issue has not surfaced in any formal proposal from the Commission yet.

Mr. T. O'Sullivan

It is already introduced in some of the countries.

Mr. O'Kennedy

The Deputy should not anticipate that we will oppose something that has not yet been introduced.