asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will make a statement on his recent talks with European agricultural authorities and Government Ministers; whether the question of this country's application for membership of the EEC was discussed during these talks; and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ireland's Membership of EEC.
137.
On the occasion of my recent visit to the Continent to attend the Berlin "Green Week", I took the opportunity of meeting members of the Commission of the European Economic Community and a number of European Ministers of Agriculture. My talks with them were of an informal nature. I found that in EEC circles there is an active interest in Ireland and in our aspirations to join the Community, and a growing confidence that the march of events will bring about an extension of the Community in the not too distant future. In short, I was able to confirm our belief that Irish membership of the Community by 1970 is a realistic expectation.
Would the Minister explain or clarify the position whereby he is reported as having said he was in favour of associate membership for Ireland?
I do not know from where the report emanated. It must have emanated from some source in Brussels other than myself. I did not at any time say any such thing. On the contrary, I availed of every opportunity I got during the course of the discussions I had with various people to emphasise that our desire still was to be a full member as soon as that was practicable.
May I ask the Minister whether, having discussed the question of full membership with some of these people, they in turn put to him the alternative of associate membership to be considered by the Government?
No. The misconception may have arisen this way. When I was talking to some of the officials of the Commission, naturally I inquired about the situation regarding the Austrian negotiations. As the Deputy knows, the Austrian negotiations are for associate membership, not for full membership. I was interested to learn how these negotiations were proceeding and I was given fairly full information on that point. The Deputy may like to know that most of the difficulties which are being encountered in regard to the Austrian negotiations, as far as I can see, arose from the fact that the application is for associate membership and not for full membership.
Austria is prohibited from applying for full membership for political reasons.
Yes, because of the treaties, she cannot apply for full membership.