Bertie Ahern
Ceist:5 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach if he will seek a bilateral meeting at the next EU Summit with the German Chancellor to discuss German ideas on the future shape of the European Union. [11233/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EU Intergovernmental Conference.
Bertie Ahern
Ceist:6 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the communications, if any, he has had from any other European head of Government suggesting the postponement of the Intergovernmental Conference until 1997; and his views on the matter. [11234/95]
I will take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
I have had no communication from any other European Head of State or Government suggesting the postponement of the Intergovernmental Conference until 1997. The Treaty on European Union provides that the Intergovernmental Conference will open in 1996. The Italian Government has indicated its intention that the Intergovernmental Conference should commence during its Presidency in the first half of 1996.
The efficient management of the Intergovernmental Conference will be a major priority of the Irish Presidency. We will work to progress its work as constructively and expeditiously as possible during our Presidency. It is too early to make any firm predictions about the date when the Intergovernmental Conference is likely to conclude. The work of the Intergovernmental Conference depends on a wide number of factors including the complexity and ambition of its agenda. There has always been and remains a considerable possibility that the Intergovernmental Conference will run into 1997.
The European Council meeting in Cannes will afford the EU Heads of State or Government an opportunity to discuss the preparation for the Intergovernmental Conference. I look forward to hearing the views of Chancellor Kohl and other colleagues on that occasion. A European Council, of course, also offers the opportunity for useful informal bilateral discussions with other members of the European Council. As of now I have no plans for any informal bilateral meetings concerning the Intergovernmental Conference at Cannes. The Deputy can, however, be assured that in the context of the Intergovernmental Conference all necessary bilateral contacts will be maintained by me, the Tánaiste and the Minister of State for European Affairs.
Will the Taoiseach use the opportunity that will be presented next week when, I am sure, there will be much discussion regarding the future work of the Intergovernmental Conference to put down markers on a number of issues on which Chancellor Kohl has taken a very different view? I refer particularly to the proposal to introduce majority voting in foreign policy decisions, the role of maintaining a commissioner for small countries, the fact that the position in respect of European Monetary Union appears to have changed and, not least, the raising of incorrect issues by Chancellor Kohl's Government colleague, Mr. Theo Waigel, which are damaging to the Irish economy.
I do not believe that anybody would regard the comments of Minister Waigel as damaging the Irish economy. Our economy is extremely healthy and the European Commission has clearly indicated that Ireland is one of only three economies in Europe at present which qualifies for European Monetary Union membership.
It has been said that we are not ready for European Monetary Union.
The views of the German Government on that matter are the views of one member Government and do not accord with the facts. I do not see any difficulty in dealing with that matter. I have views as to why Minister Waigel made those comments. They probably have more to do with the situation of other member states and little or nothing to do with his perception of the Irish economy. Regarding the other matters, I have made my views known on the question of a commissioner for small countries and on the other issues we will defend Ireland's interests effectively.
When does the Taoiseach consider Ireland will put forward a position paper dealing with the main aspects of the Intergovernmental Conference?
It is too early yet to say what will be on the agenda of the Intergovernmental Conference, apart from the items presaged at the Maastricht Treaty. Items may be confined to the business left over from Maastricht, in which case the Intergovernmental Conference would be comparatively brief. However, the agenda may be extended to include a number of other items. As the scope of the Intergovernmental Conference is not yet clear, it would be premature to publish any details.
As the Commission and other countries have made it clear that the Intergovernmental Conference will not end during the Irish Presidency, is the Taoiseach concerned that it may turn out to be another GATT round in which discussions will be ongoing? Even though the next EU Summit will take place soon, the Taoiseach is not sure what issues will be on the agenda of the Intergovernmental Conference, but we know that European Monetary Union will not be included.
The Deputy should not misrepresent what I said.
What items will be on the agenda?
The Cannes Summit and the Intergovernmental Conference are two different matters.
I know, but will the Taoiseach hold informal meetings during the Cannes Summit regarding matters that will be raised at the Intergovernmental Conference? That is the question I asked, but he does not appear to know what items will be discussed.
I do.
When will we put forward——
If the Deputy yields I will ensure that he understands what I am saying.
When will we know the Government's position on what the Taoiseach believes will be on the agenda for the Intergovernmental Conference?
I do not know the answer to that question. I first want to establish the scope of the Intergovernmental Conference. As the Deputy is probably aware, a limited number of items that were not dealt with at the last Intergovernmental Conference will be dealt with at the next conference. Some countries have suggested that the agenda should be extended dramatically, but the majority view is that it should be a limited agenda. When we are clearer on the likely scope of the Intergovernmental Conference we will consider the best way to put forward our views on those items.
When we know what everyone else wants, we will know what we want.
It would be premature to put forward views on items for the Intergovernmental Conference if they are not on the agenda.
How will they get on the agenda if we do not put them forward?
I have already referred to the matters that will be dealt with at the Cannes Summit.
That disposes of questions to the Taoiseach. I now call the Minister of State to deal with Question No. 10.
On a point of order, while we welcome the Minister of State, the Minister might have afforded me the courtesy of telling me he would not be coming into the House to take questions.
The Minister is attending a Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels and, therefore, cannot be in the House to take questions.