Vol. 200 No. 5
asked the Taoiseach what matters are to be discussed at the conversations which he has announced are about to take place in London; and whether it is proposed to review the terms of trade between the two countries with special reference to an expansion of Irish agricultural exports on terms more closely integrated with the British price structure.
2.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Taoiseach whether the proposed talks with the British Government representatives are to seek new trade agreements between the two countries.
3.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Taoiseach whether the proposed talks with the British Government were agreed upon at the initiative of the British or Irish authorities.
4.
asked the Taoiseach if he is prepared to make a statement on the matters to be discussed with the British Ministers when, with the Minister for External Affairs, he visits Britain on the 18th and 19th March.
5.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Taoiseach whether any proposals are to be submitted to the British Government to seek in the new context of international trading and political arrangements a reconsideration of a settlement of the problem of Partition.
With your permission, Sir, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5 together.
The talks between Irish and British Ministers due to take place in London on the 18th and 19th of this month were arranged at my request. The purpose of the talks, as was indicated in the Press announcement on the subject, is to have a general exchange of views in regard to the situation resulting from the recent breakdown in the negotiations between Britain and the European Economic Community.
I cannot usefully say anything further at this stage.
Can the Taoiseach not tell us at this stage whether it would be his intention to raise with the British Government the desirability of reviewing the terms on which we export agricultural produce to the British market, in consideration of the fact that we are now one of the largest European customers Great Britain has and that divers other arrangements have operated to erode some of the advantages which we agreed between us in the 1948 and earlier Trade Agreements?
On this occasion, I contemplate that we shall have general discussions only. Arrangements relating to trade or other specific matters are not likely to be discussed.
Deputies McQuillan and Norton rose.
Deputy Norton.
Arising out of the Taoiseach's reply——
Is the Deputy not going to give way?
I had the question down. It is just a matter of the Ceann Comhairle, in his usual manner, deciding unfairly. I will give way.
Would the Taoiseach say whether it is proposed to suggest to the British, as was done on a previous occasion, that there might be usefully developed closer trade relations with the British Government and as far as possible a reintegration of certain aspects of both economies?
I have said that I contemplate we shall have general discussions only and that arrangements relating to trade or other specific matters will not be discussed.
Having regard to the fact that the previous proposal was rejected by the British Government, does the Taoiseach now consider it is practical politics to re-submit it for reconsideration and will he do so?
I do not think that arises out of the question.
I think it does.
The Taoiseach has referred to the question of general discussions only arising and that matters of detail will not be discussed. I presume that the Taoiseach intends to have discussed, even on very broad lines, the vital question of agriculture and in view of the importance of agriculture at this stage, will he indicate why it is not considered advisable to bring in the chief adviser on agriculture, that is, the Minister for Agriculture?
I do not think we shall have any specific discussion about agriculture.
You are not going to bother about it?
I said "specific".
In view of the vital importance of agriculture to this country and the large part it must play in any discussion, general or otherwise, surely it is not unfair to suggest to the Taoiseach that the most important member of his Cabinet in discussions of this nature is the Minister for Agriculture who is alleged to know about agriculture? We know that the Taoiseach knows nothing about it.
Would it not be possible to have the question of the partition of our country discussed at this meeting?
The discussions arranged relate to the situation resulting from the breakdown of the British application for membership of the European Economic Community.
Will agriculture be mentioned at all? The Taoiseach said just now that he did not think agriculture would be discussed?
I said I did not think we would have any specific discussion about agriculture.
Why?
We might as well talk about herrings.
Or white cards and blue cards. Is there a doctor in the House for the Minister for Health?
If you want to raise trouble, bring in the Tánaiste.
Could the Taoiseach indicate if these discussions will be correlated with the continuing application of this country for membership of EEC?
The purpose of these discussions is to explore the situation generally, not to reach agreements.
Do we take it that after the informal discussions, there will be formal discussions?
I do not think I could answer that question. I should think it is likely that at some stage there may be further discussions.
And a bigger team of Ministers will participate, including the Minister for Agriculture?
In such an eventuality, that would probably be the case.
Is it a fact that the Minister for External Affairs is going at this stage because he is noted for his friendliness to Great Britain?
