asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state on whose initiative the recent London trade talks were convened.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - London Trade Talks.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state at whose instance the recent London talks between representatives of the Irish and British Governments, were undertaken.
I take questions 1 and 2 together. These talks were initiated at the suggestion of the Government following receipt of an invitation from the British Government to enter into discussions on the financial position arising out of the dollar shortage.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state the extent of the trade agreement talks which are taking place between representatives of this country and of Britain; and whether, when an agreement has been reached, he will take the necessary steps to ensure that, before it is ratified, it will be submitted to the farming community who are most directly concerned.
As indicated in the communiqué of the 19th September which I quoted in the Dáil on the 8th October, the trade talks with Britain are concerned with the possibility of formulating plans for increasing supplies from each country to the other.
I do not know what the Deputy means when he speaks of having any agreement reached submitted to the farming community. The terms of any agreement that may be reached will naturally be the subject of discussion in Dáil Éireann whose duty it is, as it is the duty of the Government, to safeguard as far as possible the interests of all sections of the community.
In case the Taoiseach does not know to what I was referring, I was interested to know whether he would submit any proposals that might be forthcoming to representatives of the principal producers of this country, as agreements reached without consultation of that kind might have the effect of worsening things instead of improving them.
Here in Dáil Éireann we have representatives of the Irish people, at least of this part of Ireland anyhow.
Agreed.
They are the people who are going to decide whether any agreements between this country and any other country are good or bad in the interests of the community.
May I take it that producers are not experts in their own line and are not worthy of consultation?
The Deputy can take it from me exactly as I gave it.
Those concerned might not take it in that light.
You cannot speak for them anyhow.
You can.