asked the Taoiseach if he will now reply to such portions of Questions Nos. 1 to 18 (inclusive) of the 21st June, 1961, relating to the Common Market as have not been fully replied to in the White Paper laid on the Table of the House on 30th June, 1961.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Common Market.
2.
As I informed the Deputy on 21st June, some of the questions he had then put down and portions of others relate to matters which would be the subject of detailed negotiations in the event of Ireland's applying for membership of the European Economic Community and consequently it would not be in the national interest for me to indicate views on them at that stage. This is still the position. I stated at the same time that it would not be possible to discuss the implications for us of membership of the Community until the terms of accession were clarified in the course of detailed negotiations and that a White Paper covering these matters would then be published as a basis for discussion by the Dáil of the decision proposed by the Government. In the circumstances it would serve no useful purpose and might, indeed, create confusion if I were to deal now with those portions of his questions of 21st June to which the Deputy refers.
Many of the matters covered by those questions have of course been dealt with in the White Paper.
Does the Taoiseach not appreciate that industrialists and other persons are anxious to know the situation as it exists in relation to the other six countries now constituting the Common Market and will he not therefore make the information available so that they can judge accordingly? I particularly refer to Question No. 13 on 21st June, which is the Question relating to taxation and retooling, which are of vital interest to manufacturing industry.
Yes. It would be a very difficult matter of investigation to get that information in a form which would be of value and under circumstances which would enable us to guarantee its accuracy. I have no doubt that in time the institutions of the Community will themselves publish information dealing with these matters which will, I think, serve the needs of people in this country requiring it.
Does the Taoiseach not agree that the information is very material for industrialists?
I agree.
Would it not have been better, therefore, if the Taoiseach had accepted the motion put down in this House four years ago? The information would now be available.
I doubt very much that it would.