Vol. 177 No. 1
asked the Taoiseach whether in the light of the establishment of two separate trading groups in Europe, viz. the Economic Community of six nations and the Outer Free Trade area of seven, and the fact that Ireland is not associated with either group, he will state if further negotiations for a wider Free Trade Area for Europe are in progress, and if Ireland is taking part in such discussions.
2.
asked the Taoiseach whether he has considered recommendation No. 210 (1) of the Council of Europe dealing with the European Economic Association; and whether he will state the intentions of the Government in that connection.
3.
asked the Taoiseach whether he is in favour of renewed negotiations for the creation of a multilateral trading agreement among all O.E.E.C. countries; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any steps to encourage renewed negotiations, either in the O.E.E.C. or elsewhere.
4.
asked the Taoiseach whether any calculations have been made of the likely effects on the Irish economy of the creation of a Free Trade Area of the Outer Seven countries; and, if so, if he will publish such calculations in the form of a White Paper.
5.
asked the Taoiseach what is the present position concerning the negotiations for the proposed European Free Trade area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 1 to 5 together.
Negotiations for a wider Free Trade Area are not at present in progress.
I am aware of the terms of Recommendation 210 of the Council of Europe. The Recommendation is, of course, addressed to all members of the Council of Europe, and it would be premature for the Government to endeavour to define now their attitude in relation to it.
We have already made it clear that we would be prepared to consider participation in a multilateral trading agreement among all the member-countries of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation, subject to the inclusion in such an agreement of provisions in regard to this country which would take our special circumstances adequately into account. The Government do not feel called upon to take any steps to promote the early resumption of negotiations in this regard.
The members of the proposed European Free Trade Association are engaged in discussions in Stockholm with the aim of completing, by the 31st instant, the drafting of the Convention to be adopted by member Governments. A preliminary examination has been made of the likely effects of the establishment of the Association on the Irish economy. It is not proposed to publish the conclusions arrived at as a result of this examination, which are, necessarily, of a provisional and tentative character.
Can the Taoiseach say if we have sent a special representative to Stockholm as an observer in these negotiations?
We have not an observer at the negotiations. We have officers of the Irish Embassy in Stockholm who are, of course, keeping us informed of the events happening there so far as they know of them.
If any decisions are taken they will probably be taken at political level. Does the Taoiseach not consider it desirable that Ireland should be represented at any discussions that are taking place or will take place?
I do not think so. I have already expressed the view that the type of agreement which appears to be contemplated at Stockholm would not be one which would be likely to be acceptable to us. I think it would be undesirable to give the impression now that we would be prepared to participate in that agreement by having representatives at these negotiations.
May I assume that the preoccupations arising out of the subject matter of these five Questions will not operate to delay or hinder the important bilateral negotiations that are proceeding between our Government and the Government of Great Britain?
That is so.
