Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Jul 1998

Vol. 493 No. 5

Written Answers. - Presidency of EU Commission.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

45 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the European Council in Cardiff, Wales, discussed the methodology for the election and appointment of the next President of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13690/98]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

59 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the proposals from former European Commission President Delors and former European Commissioner Sutherland that the method for selecting the President of the Commission be reformed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12100/98]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 59 together.

The European Council in Cardiff did not discuss the methodology for the appointment of the next President of the European Commission.

The procedure for appointing the President of the Commission is set out in the treaties. 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.

I am aware of the proposal made by an organisation chaired by Mr. Delors, which 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. The task ahead of us at this stage must be to bring the Treaty of Amsterdam into force and to apply its sensible and welcome provisions including in relation to the procedure for appointing the President of the Commission.