andMr. McQuillan asked the Taoiseach if any estimate has been made as to the effect on the cost of living index of Ireland's joining the Common Market if committed thereby to the withdrawal of the present subsidies to the agricultural industry directly and indirectly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Common Market: Effect on Cost of Living.
2.
It would be premature to make such an estimate at the present time.
Is the Taoiseach aware that it has been estimated in Great Britain that there would be an increase of something in the nature of 5 per cent. on entering the Common Market. Has any estimate of that kind been made here at all?
The common agricultural policy of the European Economic Community has not yet been worked out in detail. In any case, conditions here are very different from conditions in Britain.
It was possible to make an estimate in Great Britain and surely it would be possible to make an estimate in this country. Is it not most important?
I do not think anybody accepts that the estimate made in Britain was very reliable.
As we have no control over the decision, I do not suppose it matters what the results are of our entering the Common Market.