asked the Taoiseach if the Government have yet decided that the time is opportune to embark on formal negotiations to associate this country with the six Common Market Countries or with the European Free Trade Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Common Market Countries: European Free Trade Association.
1.
The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative.
The situation in relation to the European Economic Community and the European Free Trade Association has not undergone any such change in recent months as would warrant a change in the attitude we have hitherto adopted, as explained in reply to previous questions in the House and in the fuller statement I made on the subject on the 20th July last in the course of the debate on the Estimate for my Department.
Has the Taoiseach considered establishing any kind of diplomatic contact with these two groups so as to keep fully informed as to any developments that may be taking place in that sphere?
We have an Ambassador accredited to the European Economic Commission which is the central organ of the Community.
Have we contact with the "Seven" and with the "Six"?
In the case of the European Economic Commission we have an Ambassador accredited to that body. There is no such central organ for the "Seven" but we have regular continuing contacts with the Governments of the "Seven".