asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's present attitude to the possibility of Greek accession to the European Economic Community, and if he will make a statement on the Government's policy regarding the need for the Greek Government to recognise Article 25 of the European Convention on Human Rights to ensure that all men are equal before the law within the European Community.

Deputies will be aware that the Government have consistently supported the application of Greece for membership of the European Community. The present situation is that the instruments of accession have been signed and that, following ratification by the existing member states, Greece will become the tenth member state on 1 January 1981. The Greek Parliament has already ratified the instruments of accession. Ratification by Ireland will involve the amendment of the European Communities Act, 1972 and the passing by Dáil Éireann of a motion approving the terms of accession. Deputies will have a full opportunity for debate when these matters come before the House. I hope that this will be in the near future.

As regards the second part of the question, the position is that the treaties governing the European Communities contain no reference to the European Convention on Human Rights, and indeed not all of the founding member states of the European Communities have accepted the right of individual petition under Article 25 of that Convention. It these circumstances, recognition by Greece of Article 25 does not arise in the context of accession.

Will the Bill that was circulated earlier this month be taken before Christmas?

I hope so. It is the intention of the senior Minister in the Department to have this matter disposed of before Christmas.

Does the Minister not consider that the accession of Greece provides some opportunity to raise with that country the fact that they have not recognised the European convention and that this would be a chance to put to them that they should accept the terms of the European Convention on Human Rights?

This would really be a matter for the Greek Government. In the circumstances, it would be improper of me to make any comment on their acceptance or otherwise of any article of the Convention. For the information of the House, in common with the Nine, Greece accepts Article 46 of the Convention which means that they accept the jurisdiction of the Court of Human Rights. In relation to the first part of the Deputy's question, it would not be proper for me to make any comment.

In view of the fact that the House will probably recess in three weeks and not resume until the beginning of February, would it be possible to have the Bill introduced and completed before the recess?

That is not an unreasonable request. I will do everything to ensure that that situation is brought about?

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