asked the Taoiseach whether his attention has been directed to the statement that the Danish negotiations with the EEC are relatively far advanced; and, if this is correct, why it is that no progress has been made with the Irish negotiations in the same matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - EEC: Danish Negotiations.
1.
I have seen the statement to which the Deputy refers which was to the effect that, of the applications made by member-countries of the European Free Trade Association other than Britain, the Danish negotiations are furthest advanced.
As the Deputy is aware, this country is not a member of the European Free Trade Association. It seems, however, to be correct that the application of Denmark is somewhat more advanced than the application of Norway which is the other EFTA country seeking membership, but what this may signify in regard to the outcome of these applications is a matter on which I could not offer an opinion. The fact that a particular country has had more negotiating meetings with the "Six" than another does not necessarily indicate the progress of the application. Real progress at meetings may be slow, and one country's application may involve more protracted negotiations than another's.
The point to bear in mind in connection with the Deputy's Question is that the Member States of the Community are now giving the highest priority to the negotiations with Britain and that, until the outcome of these negotiations can be clearly seen, it is unlikely that there will be any developments of substance on any of the other applications.
Does the Taoiseach not attach some grave significance to the fact that negotiations with Denmark are proceeding, while, according to the information he has afforded the House, negotiations are not proceeding with Ireland? What significance does the Taoiseach attach to the fact that negotiations with Ireland are apparently suspended, pending conclusion of negotiations with Great Britain, whereas Denmark, who has announced she will not join the Common Market if Great Britain does not enter, is proceeding with negotiations.
I do not know to what extent it is correct to say that negotiations with Denmark are proceeding. There have been some meetings held at ministerial level in connection with that application but I cannot say whether actual negotiations are proceeding. According to my information, negotiations in the real sense have not yet begun in the case of any applicant state other than Great Britain.
would the Taoiseach make further and better inquiries because my information is that negotiations with Denmark are proceeding, that they are substantial and that the state of negotiations with Denmark compares very favourably with the state of the negotiations, as reported by the Taoiseach, with Ireland, and that this appears to many of us as being very alarming, in view of the fact that Denmark is a European country which has stated categorically she will not join the Common Market if Great Britain does not?
I do not think we have any reason to be perturbed about the progress of our application.
Could the Taoiseach tell us where he gets this information? He spoke of "my information."
From a variety of sources.
Could the Taoiseach indicate some of these sources to the House?
Will the Taoiseach say whether there is recognition by the EEC countries that because of our trading relations with Great Britain, there is an interlocking of our application for membership with the British application, and is there, therefore, a desire on the part of EEC countries to clear the British application in the belief that clearance of it will bring about acceleration of our application and perhaps a successful conclusion?
I do not think that is quite the situation. It is quite clear that the negotiations with Britain are complicated for a variety of reasons that do not arise at all in the case of our application. The intention of the Six is to endeavour to ensure the finalisation of all applications simultaneously.
So that we are not at the end of the queue?
Not at all.
Has any date been fixed for the resumption of our negotiations?
Not yet.
Is it not a fact that at the moment we are at the end of the queue?
No.
Negotiations are proceeding with Great Britain, negotiations are proceeding with Denmark, but with Ireland no negotiations are proceeding at all. I am not in a position to say what is happening about Norway but at this moment negotiations with Great Britain and Denmark are proceeding. With Ireland, nothing is happening at all.
The Deputy should not use the term "negotiations" in any sense which might be misleading. There have been meetings, I know, between Denmark and the Six. To what extent they were engaged in negotiations is a matter on which I have no information. So far as Norway is concerned, I understand the Council have not opened negotiations.
Can the Taoiseach say if there is any method by which he can find out how far the negotiations, if any, have been carried on between Denmark and the Six? It seems that negotiations between Great Britain and the Six are public knowledge. Surely it is possible to get some information about the relationship between Denmark and the Six?
I do not know why it should be thought to be important that we should find out.
The Taoiseach will appreciate that we should have some period during which we can negotiate, if we are to negotiate at all, or is it to be the position that if Great Britain goes in, we will go in automatically?
As I indicated, our application presents no great difficulty.
Did not the Taoiseach state yesterday that we had not yet begun to negotiate?
I said that as far as I knew negotiations in any real sense had not begun yet with any applicant country, except Britain.
Britain would not be negotiating for us.
In reply to me the Taoiseach said he had got his information from a variety of sources. Could he now indicate if any of those are official or not?
Yes, of course. We have diplomatic sources.
Tell us some of those sources.
Our diplomatic representatives.
In so far as the applications of Great Britain and Denmark would appear to be complicated and that of Ireland simple, does the Taoiseach suggest he is absolutely certain our application will present no difficulty? Does that mean there is no serious complication in an application such as ours which involves the farming community? Does the Taoiseach mean to go in with his hands up?
It is my belief that our application will present no difficulty.