asked the Minister for External Affairs if, in view of the difficulties encountered in the negotiations for a convention establishing a Free Trade Area, he will consider making representations with a view to ascertaining the conditions for adherence by this country to the Treaty of Rome establishing the European Common Market.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Common Market and Free Trade Area.
The answer is in the negative.
Is the Minister aware that certain countries placed somewhat similarly to ours, namely, Austria and Denmark, have, according to newspaper reports, been negotiating with the Brussels organisation with a view to seeing what conditions would apply if they were to join the Rome Treaty? In view of the uncertainty of the outcome of the present negotiations would the Minister not consider it prudent to follow their example?
I have no official information about what the Danes are doing and I do not think it would be prudent to start such inquiries as the Deputy suggests at the present time.