asked the Minister for External Affairs if, in view of the possibility of the exclusion of agricultural products from the proposed European Free Trade Area, he will consider sending a deputation to the provisional committee in Brussels of the European Economic Community with a view to ascertaining the terms on which this country might be associated with the Community.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of Agricultural Products in Free Trade Area.
The Deputy will be aware that a Working Party of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation is at present considering the treatment to be given to agricultural products in the proposed Free Trade Area. Pending the report of the Working Party and the completion of the other studies in relation to the Free Trade Area, I feel that it would be premature to consider taking any steps on the lines suggested by the Deputy in relation to the European Economic Community.