Vol. 196 No. 17
asked the Taoiseach whether his attention has been drawn to reports stating that France was willing to keep Britain informed of the progress of the negotiations on political union among the member-countries of the EEC; and whether this country will receive information of a similar type on the course of the negotiations from Britain, France, or any other source.
2.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Taoiseach if in view of the recent decision by Dr. Adenauer and General de Gaulle to negotiate a political settlement prior to admitting further members to the EEC he intends to look for consultations as to the form this political union will take in order to ensure that Ireland's point of view on such a political union will be made clear.
With your permission, Sir, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
I am, of course, aware that Britain is being kept informed by the Six about the progress of these negotiations. In this connection I would refer Deputies to the answer I gave to Questions addressed to me in this House on the 2nd May. We, naturally, receive information on these matters from our diplomatic representatives.
In view of the fact that there is nothing static about this and that, therefore, referring Deputies to replies given on 2nd of May has no point, would the Taoiseach not consider asking the British Government to give him information as to what the political implications are likely to be, in view of the fact that he has stated that if Britain joins the Common Market, we must also join?
I do not follow the logic of that. The reference is to a certain meeting which is to take place in a couple of months hence.
Bearing in mind the possible effect of European political union on this country if we adhere to the Common Market, would the Taoiseach consider the question of making some type of representation which might keep open the question of the concrete form of any political union until such time as we get an opportunity of expressing our views on the matter?
We must keep our sense of realities in this matter. It is obvious that Britain's accession to the European Community raises political problems for the present members of the Community. Our accession does not.
Will the Taoiseach try to keep in touch with the countries who are members of the EEC at present in regard to the likely political implications? Have we any channel, direct or indirect, through which the Government could be given an indication of what form political union is likely to take, especially in view of the fact that this country was first in with its application to join EEC?
The information that we desire in this respect comes through our diplomatic representatives.
It is no good depending on office boys.
In view of the fact we are applicants for admission as full members of EEC for a quite a considerable time now and, as the whole concept of the Common Market is based on equality, co-ordination and co-operation, would it not be regrettable if the political union took a definite shape almost on the eve of our admission and we were denied an opportunity of expressing our viewpoint on the character of that union?
Almost all these Supplementary Questions are arguments.
