asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if his Department have made an assessment of the likely effects of EEC membership on Irish agriculture; and, if so, if this information is available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Effects of EEC Membership on Agriculture.
11.
This matter is kept under review by my Department in relation to the development of the EEC's Common Agricultural Policy. As already announced in this House, a White Paper on the Common Market will be published by the Government early this year and will deal with agriculture as well as the other sectors.
Is it not a fact that an assessment has already been made in the Department of Agriculture and that there is in the Department a small booklet of information on this subject? I am asking why that is not available to Deputies?
Any assessment we have made in the Department would not be as fully supported and verified to be circulated at this juncture. All the information, aids and helps we have in the Department together with a great deal of further information we have not got, will be contained in the White Paper, which will be a much more adequate and better presented document.
How soon does the Minister expect the White Paper to issue?
In the next couple of months.
Before the local elections?
I should think so.
He can postpone the elections then?
I do not have that control any more.