Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 28 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 5

Written Answers. - Presidency of European Commission.

John V. Farrelly

Ceist:

34 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he supports the recent proposal of Jacques Delors and other senior European Union figures to allow European political parties to nominate candidates for the position of President of the European Commission prior to the next European Parliament elections. [12385/98]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I am aware from reports in the media of a proposal put forward on 19 May by an organisation chaired by Mr Jacques Delors. The proposal envisions that each of the European political groups should choose a candidate for the position of president of the European Commission prior to the next European Parliament elections scheduled to be held in June 1999.

As I understand it, the proposal made by Mr Delors' organisation is addressed in the first instance to European political groups which will, no doubt, give it careful consideration.

Ireland's overall approach on EU institutional matters is guided by the need to respect fully the relevant treaty provisions, to ensure the maintenance of the essential balance between the Union's institutions and to safeguard the rights of smaller member states.

Article 158 of the EC Treaty provides,inter alia, that the Governments of the member states shall nominate by common accord, after consulting the European Parliament, the person they intend to appoint as president of the Commission. The Treaty of Amsterdam will amend these provisions by requiring that “the nomination shall be approved by the European Parliament”. The net effect of this should be to strengthen the political authority of the Commission President.