Andrew Boylan
Ceist:10 Mr. Boylan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when Ireland will attain the Presidency of the EC again; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Ireland's EC Presidency.
Ireland will hold the office of President of the Council of Ministers during the second half of 1996. I have asked my officials to commence preparations for the Presidency in order to ensure that when Ireland takes up the office we will be in a position to ensure that the obligations are carried out efficiently and effectively.
I thank the Minister for that information since it will be an important period for us. I am delighted to note that the Minister is confident he will be in the Department of Foreign Affairs during that period although I hope there might be a change and somebody else will be making the preparations.
I am glad if Deputy Boylan regards my remarks as confidence on my part. I take this on a day-to-day basis but, irrespective of who is the officeholder in the Department of Foreign Affairs, it is extremely important that we prepare well in advance. With that in mind I addressed a meeting of my senior officials about two months ago on the issues that will arise during the Presidency.
In view of the fact that, at the Lisbon Summit there will be a review of the institutional arrangements within the European Union in the context of its enlargement is the Minister satisfied that his statement is factual in view of the Commission's proposals about these institutional changes? Is he confident that Ireland will be hosting the Presidency of the Council of Ministers in the second half of 1996?
Obviously, the accession of the four new member states — which we would hope to have completed by 1995 — will take place but, notwithstanding their accession, the statement I have given the House is factually correct and Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of Ministers in the latter half of 1996.
Can the Minister confirm that the proposal being floated as to the possibility of small countries like ours not getting our turn for the Presidency has effectively been kicked to touch so that we need not have great concern about it constituting any danger to our position in the future?
That is a very reasonable description of the present position. Obviously, there was grave concern expressed by smaller member states in regard to the balance within the Community. We are very determined to maintain that balance.
Can the Minister indicate whether the proposed review of Maastricht for 1996 will take place during the course of the Irish Presidency? One way or the other, I would ask him to consult with or submit papers to the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs regarding the issues that are likely to arise in that review.
The Deputy is well aware that there are provisions for intergovernmental conferences in the context of 1996. As I have said here on many occasions in the past, it would be extremely important that we have the opportunity of presenting papers both to the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and to this House well in advance so that we can debate the issues and have a constructive input to those very important decisions that have to be made, both for this country and the European Community.
Question No. 14, please.