asked the Taoiseach whether he proposes to make a statement to the Dáil regarding the recent discussions in London, attended by the Ministers for External Affairs and Agriculture, with British Ministers on the question of the trading agreement with "the seven" and Ireland's future trade relations with this group and with Great Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - London Discussions on Trading Agreement.
1.
I do not think that there is anything that I can usefully add to the reply which I gave to a somewhat similar question by Deputy Russell yesterday.
Is it proposed to initiate any discussions with the British Government for a review of our trading relations with them in the event of our not being associated either with the Common Market, the Free Trade Area or the "Seven"?
Discussions with the British Government are in progress. It is not, I think, possible at this stage to attempt to forecast what the scope of these discussions may ultimately prove to be, but the Deputy may be sure that all aspects of the trading arrangements between this country and Britain will come within them if the need should arise.
Am I to take it then that we may anticipate that there will eventually emerge some trading agreement with Great Britain of a definitive character which will regulate our trading relations with them in the event of our not being associated with any of the other three groups?
Of course, we have a trading agreement with Britain and one of the questions that would naturally arise at some stage would be the appropriateness of that agreement in the circumstances that may then exist. As we do not know what these circumstances may be, I could not answer the question at this stage.
May I ask the Taoiseach finally, in view of the fact that, as I understand, he expressed on behalf of his Government, readiness to associate our country with the Free Trade Area, if it had materialised, is there any prospect of their undertaking with Great Britain the negotiation of a reciprocal Free Trade Area between this country and Great Britain?
That is a very much wider question, which I certainly should not like to answer off the cuff.
Does the Taoiseach anticipate he will be able to give any definite information to the House as to our future trading relations with Britain before the House adjourns for the summer recess?
I do not think there is the slightest possibility of any important change in the situation before then. In so far as the Stockholm meeting is concerned, I understand it is due to commence towards the end of July. How long that meeting may last or what may emerge from it are matters on which I have no information.
Denmark is making an agreement with them as of today or yesterday.
That is true. That is a factor we have to keep in mind. It is however a bilateral agreement, apart from the wider negotiations.
Would that not suggest we might start acting bilaterally, too?
Our Ministers were there last week discussing these matters with the British Government.
We did not hear much as a result thereof.