asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state the purposes of the recent conferences with the British Government; and whether he will now make a statement on any matters which, up to the present, have been decided as a result of these conferences.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conferences with British Government.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent discussions between Irish and British Ministers in London.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will make a statement to the Dáil giving full details of the recent talks in London with members of the British Government; and if he will arrange for an opportunity for the Dáil to debate the matter, in view of the importance of such talks concerning the future economic position in this country.
I propose to take the three questions 6, 7 and 8 together.
The purpose and result of the conference between Ministers were indicated in the communiqué issued to the Press after the meeting on the 19th September. This communiqué was as follows:—
"The representatives of the two Governments explored in general terms the possibilities of dove-tailing to their mutual advantage plans for increasing supplies from each country to the other.
Agreement was reached on the desirability of organising discussions at the official level with a view to submitting proposals giving practical expression in the common interest to the ideas developed at the inter-Ministerial discussions. Arrangements for the discussions at the official level are being put in hand at once."
Since then, the discussions at the official level have been taking place, and, when they are concluded, the results will be submitted to the two Governments. If any agreements are reached between the Governments, opportunities for dealing with them will present themselves in the ordinary way.