asked the Taoiseach whether he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent talks in London.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - London Trade Discussions.
1.
asked the Taoiseach the subjects discussed with the British Ministers in London over the weekend; and whether he will make a statement on the matter.
3.
asked the Taoiseach if he is in a position to make a statement on the outcome of the recent discussions which he had with British Ministers.
4.
asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of his talks with Minister of the British Government during the past week; and whether it is intended to resume such talks in the near future.
With your permission, Sir, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4 together.
At this stage, I do not think that there is anything I could appropriately add to what is contained in the press communiqué issued after the discussions, a copy of which has been placed in the Dáil Library. It is expected that there will be further talks in a couple of months' time.
It was reported at some stage that some authorised person spoke of a fundamental alteration in the trade relations between this country and Great Britain. Could the Taoiseach give any indication of what fundamental alteration in the trade relations between this country and Great Britain was discussed or considered?
I do not think that phrase was used in a way which would suggest that anything so extensive had been decided to be necessary. The communiqué refers to the fact that British Ministers stated that changes in British agricultural policy are being considered. We do not know yet what form these changes may take but it is possible they may mean some modification in present trade arrangements.
May I assume the purpose of the Government in these negotiations will be one to preserve the present position of Irish livestock exports to the British market; two, to do everything possible to remove quantitive restrictions which have been introduced in regard to agricultural exports; and three, to preserve as far as possible our industrial differential position on the British market?
We stressed in the course of the discussions the importance we attach to the British market for Irish farmers and our hopes for expanding trade.
May we assume that in relation to livestock, there is no likelihood of a deterioration?
I do not think that question should have been asked. All I can tell the Deputy is that the British Government have stated that changes in their agricultural policy are under consideration, that they are not yet in a position to tell us what form these changes may take, or even when their thinking on the matter will be concluded. Until the position is made clearer, it will not be possible for me to give any assurances.
The communiqué mentioned that there have been discussions in regard to international affairs and the United Nations. Would the Taoiseach care to expand on that?
There was a very general discussion which related almost entirely to matters concerning the United Nations. It consisted of an exchange of views and information.
It has been stated that the British Minister of Commonwealth Relations and Colonial Affairs will visit this country in the middle of the summer. Is this to be a social visit or a business one?
It is a courtesy visit. As I went to London as the guest of the British Government, we felt that hospitality required us to invite the Minister here.
The Taoiseach's visit was not purely a social one. Can we therefore assume that the British Minister's visit will be a business visit?
It must be regarded as a courtesy visit, but matters affecting the trade of the two countries may possibly be discussed.
Could the Taoiseach say whether the British Government gave any indication as to whether they would seek a reopening of their application for admission to the EEC at an early date, and was any assurance asked from the British Government that we would be consulted before any decision was taken to include agricultural exports from this country within a quota arrangement applying to imports on the British market in future?
The reply to the first part of the Deputy's supplementary is no. My personal opinion is that it will be quite some time before any change occurs in regard to applications for membership of the EEC. Regarding the second point, it is of course to be understood that there will be discussions between the two Governments again before any changes affecting our agricultural trade are brought into effect.
May I take it now that the Taoiseach, having previously indicated he thought we would be in the EEC by 1st January, 1964, will have to revise that estimate?
I revised that estimate long ago.
President de Gaulle revised it for you.
Has the Taoiseach any new date in mind now?
No.
1974, most probably.
With reference to the communiqué issued after the discussions, it was stated clearly that in regard to the international situation, discussions took place with particular reference to certain issues affecting the UN. Could the Taoiseach say what were the issues so referred to in the communiqué?
I have said that a very general discussion took place, including such matters as the development of the United Nations policy in the Congo and other activities of that kind in which we have a common interest.
Is it clear that the policy pursued in the Congo will be continued?
Certainly.
Surely it is not correct to say that Britain and ourselves have a common attitude on the Congo?
We did not explore the point to the extent of finding out whether we had a common attitude at all or not——
I hope not——
That is what I thought.
The Taoiseach has said he thinks it will be a long time before the question of Britain's admission to the EEC will be taken up again. Does he still consider it wise that we should reduce our tariffs without getting, during the period of the reduced tariffs, any compensation from those countries which will be facilitated in their exports to this country whilst we are not members of the EEC?
Surely that is a separate matter?
Surely that was one of the things discussed when these Ministers were in Britain?
No. Our decision to carry out certain tariff reductions is a unilateral decision. It is primarily aimed at achieving, in relation to our industrial activities, a higher degree of efficiency.
The Taoiseach mentioned there may be changes in our agricultural trade with Great Britain——
No. I said that the British Government have informed us they are considering changes in British agricultural policy. In so far as these changes may affect Irish trade in agricultural products to Great Britain, there will be further conversations.
These conversations may have been cordial but they appear rather barren.
It was never intended that they should be anything more than an exchange of views.
Did the British Government mention a cattle quota to the Taoiseach?
Question No. 5.
There is no answer to that one.