asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent discussions with British Ministers on the European Economic Community.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Economic Community: Discussions with British Ministers.
2.
I presume the Deputy has seen the terms of the communique issued at the conclusion of the discussions. As their purpose was confined to an exchange of views on the European trade situation, there is nothing which I could usefully add to the information contained therein.
Can the Taoiseach say whether it is proposed to resume these discussions before Britain or this country makes further contact with the European Economic Community?
Arrangements were made for resumed discussions at Ministerial level in accordance with developments in the situation.
Would the Taoiseach say it is still the position that the House will be consulted, even if it is in recess, before any irrevocable decision is taken and that the House will know the conditions under which we may enter as a member of the Common Market, if, in fact, we decide to make formal application for membership and that application is accepted?
I have informed the House that in a certain eventuality we will apply for membership. The question of the acceptance of membership will not arise until later when the definite terms of the protocol applicable to this country can be put before the House.
May I take it that the question of application for membership will have some relationship to the conditions under which we may enter or am I to take it——
The question of acceptance of membership will, of course, have relation to the conditions.
Would the Taoiseach say if the British Prime Minister indicated the degree of urgency there was in Britain's decision as to whether or not she would join the Common Market?
No comment.
May we take it that no decision will be taken by the Government in regard to this matter which would operate to exclude us from our position in the British market without prior consultation with the House?
I do not know what is in the Deputy's mind in that regard. There can be no question of any agreement binding on this country until that agreement has been ratified by the Dáil.
The only decision that the Government have taken is that if Great Britain should apply for membership of the E.E.C., we would also apply?
That is the only decision.
The protocol applicable to Ireland would be negotiated after application for membership?
As I understand the position, it is clear that the Rome Treaty provides for the possibility of separate protocols relating to the circumstances of individual members, even existing members. It is not possible to give any further information as to how long it may take to negotiate a protocol for this country or what the precise procedure may be. It will be a matter for us to decide, knowing the terms of any such protocol, whether we will accept membership.
Do I take it that the Government have made up their mind to apply for membership if Britain does likewise and inferentially we will take a decision not to apply for membership of the E.E.C. if Britain does not make a similar application?
That should not be assumed.
So that we might make the application, apart from Britain?
May I put it this way? It is quite clear that a decision by the British Government not to pursue the matter of membership would not put matters back into the state they were before but would create a new situation. It is only when the particulars of that situation are known to us that we should make a decision as to our course of action.
The questions I wished to ask have been largely put by Deputy Norton. In the event of the United Kingdom not applying for membership of the Common Market—and that is most unlikely—is it then the policy of the Government to apply for admission or not? Could the Taoiseach say if this Government are acting independently of the United Kingdom subsequent to the present events clearing themselves within the next fortnight?
It would be most unwise to attempt to reach now a decision relating to a situation about which we have no information at all at the present time.
Is it not possible for the Irish Government to get direct information for themselves from the European Economic Community, rather than have to wait to go in by the back door with Britain and seek the information?
Of course, there is no question of going in by the back door. That is nonsense. We are free to take any decision we want to take. The question is what is the best decision in the national interests and that can be taken only when we know the facts.
Why have we not got direct representation with the European Economic Community?
We have.
We have not.
We have a whole-time Ambassador who is accredited to the European Economic Community. What more direct representation could there be?
We have not. The same Ambassador is accredited to Brussels.
He is accredited to the Community and is a whole-time Ambassador.
He is the Ambassador to Belgium.