Phil Hogan
Ceist:31 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when the proposed committee of the regions will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Committee of the Regions.
Provision for the establishment of a committee of the regions is made in Article 198a of the Treaty on European Union. Ireland is to have nine representatives on a committee of 189, appointed for four years by the Council acting unanimously on proposals from the respective member states.
Although the committee will not formally be established until the Treaty is ratified, the President of the Council of Ministers has requested that the names of nominees be sent to the Council as soon as possible so that appointments can go ahead immediately when the Treaty enters into force. The Minister for the Environment will shortly be presenting proposals to Government for the selection of the Irish nominees.