Responsibility for EEC conservation negotiations
O’Kennedy challenged the transfer of his question on EEC conservation proposals to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and asked who was conducting negotiations. The Minister said he and the Foreign Affairs Minister were both involved; the Chair ruled the matter irrelevant to the question under discussion and directed O’Kennedy to submit a separate question.
——on conservation it seems clear that he is the Minister responsible for conservation. Therefore, can he explain why Question No. 17 in my name on today's Order Paper in respect of conservation proposals within the EEC has been transferred to the Minister for Foreign Affairs? Is this an indication that the Minister for Fisheries has been told to move over and that the Minister for Foreign Affairs is conducting the negotiations?
Comment on this
That is not so. The negotiations are being conducted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and myself.
Comment on this
Can the Minister say why my question has been transferred to the Minister for Foreign Affairs?
Comment on this
Order. The Deputy would need to put down a separate question on that subject. He may not raise the matter on the question we are discussing. It is not relevant.
Comment on this
Order. Deputy O'Kennedy must desist from interrupting and allow questions to continue. Question No. 11 has been called.