andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is correctly reported as stating that Ireland's application for membership of EEC was made after mature consideration and in full realisation of all its implications.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Common Market: Ireland's EEC Application.
52.
The answer is "yes"
In view of the fact that we have had reiterated statements by Ministers, and indeed by the Taoiseach, on their inability to supply us with adequate information on the many implications of joining the Common Market, whether defence, fiscal, legal, economic, industrial or agricultural, surely that statement by the Minister for Industry and Commerce is a gross overstatement and positively dishonest in all the circumstances?
The statement I made on that occasion is perfectly consistent with the statement made by the Taoiseach in presenting our case in Brussels on 18th January last.
Is it not a fact that only about two weeks ago the Taoiseach told Deputy Dillon and ourselves that no man in the world could write a White Paper containing all the implications of our joining the Common Market?
I believe that to be true.
Yet the Minister made this statement which is a complete contradiction, a deliberate attempt to mislead his hearers.