asked the Minister for Labour when it is proposed to set up the European headquarters for the Foundation for Living and Working Conditions; and if the location has been decided upon.

24.

asked the Minister for Labour if the European Foundation for Working and Living Conditions will be located in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 24 together.

Agreement in principle was reached at the Council of Social Affairs Ministers on 17th December, 1974, on a draft regulation to set up the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.

On 10th February, 1975, the Council decided to site the foundation in Ireland. The regulation setting up the foundation was formally adopted by the Council on 26th May, 1975.

The decision as to the location in Ireland of the foundation will not be taken until the administrative board of the foundation meets. It is expected that the board will hold its first meeting in January next and that the foundation will be in operation early next year.

Would the Minister say who constitute the administrative board?

It is representatives of employers, unions and governments.

Has it been set up yet?

Yes.

Are any locations under consideration by the Government?

Yes.

Is it possible to say at this stage where it will be located, Dublin or in the provinces?

No final decision has been reached on that yet, but it will have to be decided between now and January.

Is the Minister aware that in a publication some months ago it was stated that the decision had been taken to have it sited in Dublin?

I am not responsible for publications or reports——

I asked the Minister if he was aware of it?

No, I am not aware of reports. The Minister for Local Government and I will make our recommendation to the Government about the siting of the foundation. We place a great deal of importance on gaining this foundation for Ireland as it is the first EEC institution to be based on our national territory. We are anxious that its siting will be as satisfactory as possible for the working of the foundation. These are the criteria on which we are working. We have examined a few places and the Government will be making their decision shortly.

Will the Minister agree that perhaps outside of Dublin Limerick is by far the most suitable site because it possesses all the necessary infrastructure, both physical and social? Is he also aware that the NIHE have offered immediate interim accommodation to the foundation? He is of course aware that the NIHE is the only institute with a definite European orientation and it is also a recognised EEC documentation centre.

The Deputy will appreciate that there are attractions in siting the foundation in Limerick and elsewhere. We have received representations from other centres——

The Minister received representations from me.

And representations from Deputy Pattison and Deputy Crotty about siting it in Kilkenny. Our main concern is that the site chosen should be satisfactory and the people who will have to work there will have no complaints to make. As this will be our first EEC centre—and I hope it will not be our last—we are anxious to see that all the arrangements will work satisfactorily. The Government hope to come to a final decision on this soon.

Have the Commission been consulted about the location of the foundation and, if so, what were their reactions?

We have not come to any decision on the matter as yet.

I am asking if the Commission have been consulted?

The Commission, of course, will have some say in its location.

Have they been consulted about the location by the Minister or the Government?

The experience of the siting of other EEC centres has been that where the Government of the country in which the foundation or centre was to be sited indicate a preference for a place, this is usually complied with.

Is the Minister aware that the Commission will accept Limerick as the location?

The Commission have not indicated any preference yet.

In view of the fact that Limerick is the most depressed city in Western Europe, with almost 5,000 people on the dole, would the Minister not agree, as a very small token of compensation, that this foundation should be automatically located there?

Deputy Coughlan and the Minister for the Gaeltacht have been suggesting the attractions of Limerick, but no final decision has been made yet. The Deputy will appreciate that this is a question which will be decided between the Minister and the Government.

Have any of the Cork Ministers made representations?