Vol. 190 No. 1
asked the Minister for External Affairs if the question of Ireland's becoming a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, or being associated with this or any other military alliance of any kind was discussed with the West German Foreign Minister, Dr. von Brentano, on his recent visit to Dublin.
7.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will indicate what subjects were discussed with the West German Foreign Minister, Dr. von Brentano, on his recent visit to this country.
8.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for External Affairs if he is prepared to disclose the contents of his discussions with the West German Foreign Minister, Dr. von Brentano, held recently in Dublin.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions 6, 7 and 8 together.
The answer to the first question is in the negative.
As regards the second and third, in the course of conversation, a number of subjects were touched upon, including German/Irish trade relations and general European trading arrangements with particular reference to the future development of the Common Market.
Could I ask the Minister if the answer to No. 6 is in the negative, why is it that Herr von Brentano said on leaving here that he had made quite clear what the position was, as to the necessity of joining N.A.T.O. at the same time as joining the Common Market? He appears to have discussed it with the Taoiseach or the Taoiseach discussed it with him or that was the impression that Herr von Brentano was under?
The Deputy should accept the Minister's word when he says the matter was not discussed.
In regard to the Minister's statement that matters of trade were discussed with the German Minister, would the Minister say if the Taoiseach discussed the position with regard to our cattle exports to Germany——
That surely is a separate question.
Is the Minister aware that this cattle pact has been repudiated by the German Government?
That is an entirely separate matter.
If, in the course of the discussions with the German Minister——
That is a separate question.
May I put it this way: The Minister in replying said that matters of trade were discussed.
We cannot discuss every aspect of our export trade on this question.
I asked only about one aspect of our trade.
Somebody else might want to know about another.
You are not in a position to know that until somebody does so.
I am in a position to know that we cannot discuss every aspect of our export trade on this question.
In view of the vital importance of the cattle trade to the country at the moment, will the Minister say whether or not the Taoiseach discussed the cattle pact with the German Minister?
That is a separate matter and must be raised by means of a certain question so desired.
If the Minister is not prepared to disclose the content of the conversation, would he tell us why these matters are being held secret? Were any agreements entered into between Herr von Brentano and the Government which the Minister attempted to conceal from the House.
What secret agreements were entered into on cattle by the Taoiseach?
Order.
Surely the people have the right to know what agreement has been made on their behalf by Herr von Brentano?
Who said any agreement had been made?
The Deputy should not lose his temper.
It is a scandalous thing that this should be done behind the backs of the Irish people.
Order.
It is a scandalous thing——
Deputy Dr. Browne must allow the Ministers' replies to Questions proceed.
These are serious matters. The public should not be treated like this.
The Deputy is using his imagination.
What was Herr von Brentano doing then? Looking at Killarney, admiring the view?
