asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if there have been any recent developments concerning the proposed Free Trade Area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Trade Area.
I would refer the Deputy to the statement on the Free Trade Area negotiations which I made when introducing the Estimate for Industry and Commerce. This is reported in the Dáil Debates for the 11th June, 1958, columns 1534 to 1539.
Although working parties of officials and experts have continued their examination of the many issues involved, including the special treatment to be given to certain countries, the negotiations have not progressed since April last when they were interrupted by the French political situation.
It will be recalled that when the inter-governmental committee was set up by the Council of Ministers of the O.E.E.C. in October, 1957, the expectation was that an agreement for the setting up of a Free Trade Area would be concluded and ratified by the participating countries in time to allow of bringing the area into operation parallel with the Common Market of the European Economic Community. Among other things, this meant that member countries of the area would put a series of tariff reductions into effect on 1st January, 1959, when corresponding reductions are due to take place in the common market.
Conclusion and ratification of a comprehensive agreement in time to introduce tariff reductions next January will not now be possible, and one of the matters to be considered by the inter-governmental committee at a meeting provisionally arranged for the 24th of this month will be the situation resulting from the reduction of tariffs in the European Economic Community on the one hand and the non-existence of a comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement on the other. The Ministers of the countries of the European Economic Community are meeting on the 23rd July to consider the situation.
At this stage, no reliable prediction of the outcome of the negotiations can be given.
Would it be correct to say that, if this project is not dead, it is dormant?
No, it is not.
Might I inquire if, when the meeting of Ministers is held in July, it is intended that it shall be a meeting of Ministers of Finance and Agriculture or is it only of Ministers of Finance?
There are to be two meetings of Ministers in July, one on the 23rd and one on the 24th. As far as my information goes, the meeting on the 24th will be attended by the Minister for Industry and Commerce only.
Will either of the meetings be attended by the Ministers of Agriculture of Europe as is provided under the Constitution of O.E.E.C. when that course is thought desirable?
I cannot answer that question.
Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary would ask the Minister to look into the desirability of having the Irish Minister for Agriculture attend one of those meetings.