andMr. McQuillan asked the Taoiseach if in view of the decision of the Government to join the Common Market if Britain joins, and the fact that the Six Counties will be bound by the British decision, any exploratory talks have been or will be held between spokesmen of the Government and the Government of the Six Counties to see if the proposed rationalisation programme for Irish industry could be carried out in regard to industries on both sides of the Border simultaneously.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Common Market: Rationalisation of Industry.
3.
The question of talks with the Government of Northern Ireland, on the matters suggested in the question, does not arise at this stage.
In view of the fact that if we join the Common Market and Northern Ireland go into the Common Market, we will be treated, industrially in any case, as a unit and in view of the fact that we are considering the question of rationalisation of industries in this part of the country, surely it would be opportune to consider asking the Northern Ireland Government whether they would be prepared to enter into negotiations in the same way as industrialists down here are being asked to enter into negotiations with a view to finding out what can be done to rationalise industry?
The Deputy is advancing an argument, not asking a question.
The uniformity of the problem in both parts is obvious but useful discussion could only be possible when the facts were available.
What are your discussions about? If they are useful in the South they would be useful in the North.