asked the Taoiseach if he has yet communicated, or consulted in any way, with any other European country, not a member of NATO which is at present interested in seeking membership of, or association with, the European Economic Community.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC: Consultation with non-NATO Countries.
2.
The answer is in the negative.
Does the Taoiseach not consider it necessary or desirable that he should?
I do not. I think it might lead to some misunderstanding of our position.
I certainly appreciate that point of view, but the Taoiseach will also appreciate that the six members of the Common Market are members of NATO, that those who have applied recently for membership are also members of NATO—there are some exceptions—and in view of the fact that there has been a lot of talk about what our military or defensive commitments might be, I do not think it would be unfruitful if we did consult with those countries who are not members of NATO and who have applied for membership of the Common Market.
There are none such. The countries that are not members of NATO which have made any approach to the European Community are seeking association, not membership.
Even those.