asked the Taoiseach if there has been any further development concerning the application of this country to adhere to the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement on the present position of the application.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Ireland's EEC Application.
1.
As indicated in an official statement issued on the 20th March last, the Council of Ministers of the European Economic Community decided at its session earlier in that month to suggest to the Government that a meeting be held between the Permanent Representatives in Brussels of the Member Governments of the Community and senior officials of the Irish Government for the purpose of obtaining, in preparation for a further meeting between Irish Ministers and Ministers of the Member Governments, clarification on certain points of an economic character arising out of my statement in Brussels on the 18th January last. This meeting is to take place tomorrow in Brussels and will be attended by officials of the Departments of Finance, Agriculture, Industry and Commerce and External Affairs.
Is there any indication yet as to when the negotiations may conclude?
There is none.
Has the Taoiseach got any information yet as to when there is likely to be another meeting at ministerial level, as apart from departmental level?
I could not say. There is certainly no definite arrangement for another meeting of that kind but the matter will, no doubt, arise, following on this meeting in Brussels to-morrow.
In view of our vital interest in Britain's application for membership of the Common Market, has the Taoiseach any information as to how negotiations are proceeding between Britain and the Community?
I have not, except to say that they are proceeding.
But the Taoiseach has no information on the proceedings?
All the information suggests that they have not yet come within sight of finality.
But, in view of our vital interest in the matter, does the Taoiseach not think there should be some liaison between his Government and that of Britain?
There is. We have been kept informed of the matters that have arisen in the negotiations.
The Taoiseach is informed to some extent as to what is happening?
By whom is the Taoiseach informed?
What is the name of the chap who told him?
It is not a laughing matter at all. I do not believe there is anybody telling anything.
Does the Taoiseach propose to make any statement to the Dáil next week, reporting on the discussions which will take place tomorrow?
I do not. It is intended mainly to elaborate and clarify some of the matters contained in my statement in February last; it will not result in any conclusion.
Does the Taoiseach not think that after the visit tomorrow, it would, at least, be desirable now, with a view to informing the country as a whole, to bring up to date the White Paper in its economic aspects and give the country in the form of a White Paper some more information on the particular aspects? Would the Taoiseach prefer that I should address that question to him next week, when they have come back from these discussions?
Not at all. There is, so far as I know, no additional information at present that could be given.
Now where is the information?
The only decisions of significance from our point of view taken recently in Brussels were those relating to agriculture, upon which all the information available has been supplied to Deputies.
But the position is that the White Paper issued last year is now out of date. Would it not be better that in a matter of this magnitude and importance, information should be supplied in a cohesive form in one White Paper?
The Deputy, of course, no doubt appreciates that, while all the information available to us regarding agricultural decisions has been made available to Deputies, there are many decisions yet to be made before some of these earlier decisions will be fully implemented. Until they are, it does not seem to me necessary to add to the information already circulated.
Is there also a good deal of further statistical information available now? A year has elapsed.
Could the Taoiseach give any indication at this stage as to when there is likely to be a discussion at ministerial level with the Common Market authorities?
The position is that the Community, which has a great deal of business to conduct at the present time, is proceeding as actively as it can in the negotiations with Great Britain. It is unlikely that further discussion with us, or any other of the applicant countries, will be taken much further until a certain stage has been reached in these negotiations, and that may not be for some weeks yet.
I had better ask the question again next week when these people have come back from Brussels.