37 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline his views on the proposals in Article 171 of the Luxembourg draft EC Treaty revisions which would allow pecuniary penalties to be imposed on member states who fail to comply with an EC Court judgment.

108 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline his views on the proposals in Article 171 of the Luxembourg draft EC Treaty revisions which would allow pecuniary penalties to be imposed on member states who fail to comply with an EC Court judgment.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 108 together since they have been put down in identical terms.

The proposed addition to Article 171 allows the Commission to issue a reasoned opinion specifying the points on which the member state which has not complied with a court ruling must do so and specifying a time limit in which appropriate action must be taken. Failing compliance, it will be open to the Commission to take the matter again to the Court of Justice and in so doing to specify the amount of the lump sum or penalty payment to be paid by the member state concerned. The court may then impose the appropriate lump sum or penalty.

In the Intergovernmental Conference Ireland has indicated that it can agree to this proposal.

38 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, he will outline, with regard to title XIX of the Luxembourg Draft Treaty of the Union of the European Community in regard to culture, the way in which responsibilities of the European Community in this matter will relate to those of the Council of Europe; and whether there will be any overlap or duplication of responsibility.

50 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, he will outline, with regard to title XIX of the Luxembourg Draft Treaty of the Union of the European Community in regard to culture, the way in which responsibilities of the European Community in this matter will relate to those of the Council of Europe; and whether there will be any overlap or duplication of responsibility.

94 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline with regard to title XIX of the Luxembourg Draft Treaty of the Union of the European Community in regard to culture, the way in which responsibilities of the European Community in this matter will relate to those of the Council of Europe; and whether there will be any overlap or duplication of responsibility.

98 Dr. G. FitzGerald asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline with regard to title XIX of the Luxembourg Draft Treaty of the Union of the European Community in regard to culture, the way in which responsibilities of the European Community in this matter will relate to those of the Council of Europe; and whether there will be any overlap or duplication of responsibility.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 50, 94 and 98 together since they have been put down in identical terms.

The inclusion of a specific Treaty provision to cover culture responds to a growing desire to deepen throughout the Community the knowledge of and interest in the diverse cultural traditions and languages of the peoples of the twelve member States of the Community. Ireland has for a long time supported the development of a cultural dimension to the Community's activities. We have co-operation with the Commission in proposing draft articles on culture to be included in the new Treaty.