asked the Minister for for Foreign Affairs if he will indicate the procedure whereby delegates to the European Parliament will be selected or elected.

9.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the average number of days per year that members of the European Assembly are required to be in attendance.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.

In accordance with the Community treaties, the assembly consists of delegates who are designated by the respective Parliaments from among their members in accordance with the procedure laid down by each member State. The legislative procedure in this country can be provided for by ministerial regulation made under the European Communities Bill, 1972, when enacted.

As regards attendance at the European Parliament, the Parliament held 11 plenary sessions in 1971 occupying 45 days. A substantial burden of work, however, takes place in the committees. During 1971, there were 253 committee meetings some lasting several days. It is usual for delegates to be members of one or more committees.

Is the Minister in a position to state the average attendance in a year?

During 1971 there were 253 committee meetings some lasting several days, so the Deputy can take it that thinking in day terms it would be up to 350 actual days spent on committee work.

Not every delegate would be on all the committees?

They would be members of one at least.

Two actually.

How many days would that cover on average?

It would be around 200.

No, over 100, within ten months.

Like everything else about the Common Market the Minister does not appear to know much about this.

Would the Minister agree that even the lower number of days to be present at the European Parliament would present certain difficulties for Deputies of this Parliament and probably of other Parliaments. Can he say whether any advance can be made toward direct election of members to the European Parliament which would obviate this difficulty?

This is a matter to which we are committed. As the Deputy is aware, the Netherlands have taken the initiative in this respect. Obviously, this would be the right way to go.

Is our attitude similar to that of the Netherlands?

It is with regard to encouraging direct elections in a democratic manner.

It is the European Parliament who will make the recommendation.

As a member country we can contribute towards developments in that direction.

The Treaty of Rome will have to be altered in order to make that possible.

That is not right.

Did the Minister say that when the European Communities Bill becomes law the Minister can make regulations dealing with the appointment of delegates to the European Parliament?

Yes, that is very precise.

What function will the European Parliament have in selecting delegates?

Section 3 of the European Communities Bill will empower a Minister of State to make regulations enabling section 2 to have full effect. Section 2 deals with the election procedure. I understand the Whips have been meeting on this matter and that the figures have been agreed in regard to representation: five Fianna Fáil members, three Fine Gael members and two Labour members. What we will do then—this is procedural—is to put down a resolution in both Houses of the Oireachtas to give effect to that. That resolution can be incorporated subsequently in a regulation under the section of the European Communities Bill to which I have referred.

This will have to take place very quickly?

Yes, before 1st January.

Within the next few weeks?

Yes.