asked the Taoiseach if he still considers 1970 a realisable date for the entry of this country into full membership of the EEC.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
1.
The assumption that Ireland would be a full member of the European Economic Community by 1970 rested on the expectation that the negotiations on the new applications for membership would have opened by the summer of next year at the latest.
While the applications are still before the Council of Ministers for decision, French objections to the opening of negotiations before solutions are found to the problems presented by Britain's application leave the situation very much in doubt.
Can the Minister or the Taoiseach give any indication as to when Ireland's position will be clarified?
The Deputy will recall what the Taoiseach said on several occasions. It would be quite impossible to say, at this time, what the position will be until the Council of Ministers has met. I understand they are meeting before Christmas.
If, at this meeting of 19th December of the Council of Ministers, there is a decision that Britain's application will suffer a further lengthy postponement, will the Government explore the possibility of associate membership of the Common Market?
The Government will not be committed to any action until they have seen the final report of what takes place during the meeting on December 19th, and subsequent to that, too. The Deputy can surely appreciate that?
In the past few days, the Chairman of the Commission has been having talks with the British Prime Minister. He has been suggesting to the British Prime Minister that he depart from his previous position of requiring full membership, in view of the opposition of several influential members of EEC. It seems, on all sides, as though full membership for Britain will have to be considered in terms of seven or eight years hence rather than 1970. It is only realistic that the Government should be doing their homework in relation to associate membership for this country.
Is it anticipated or arranged that there will be consultations with the British Government prior to the meeting of 19th December arising out of the decision—whatever it might be—by the Ministers of the Six?
Again, that matter will have to come before the Government.
Why are the Government afraid or ashamed to say that they have to consult the British?
The Taoiseach has given a full account to the House.
We are the poor relations of the British Labour Government.
The Deputies on the benches over there are trying to rush the Government to make an unwise statement before the meeting of the Council of Ministers.
It is impossible to rush a standstill Government.
The youngest Cabinet in Europe.
2.
asked the Taoiseach if consideration of the application of this country to join the EEC by the Council of Ministers will be by way of oral hearing; and if so, what will be the form of representation at such hearing on behalf of this country.
As the Council of Ministers of the European Economic Community has not yet taken a decision in principle to enter into negotiations with the applicants for membership, no procedure for negotiation has been settled. If precedent is any guide, it is likely that the negotiations would, for the most part, take the form of oral discussion supplemented, where necessary, by memoranda on specific aspects. The form of Ireland's representation at the negotiations will be decided at the appropriate time.
Does it follow that no date has been settled for consideration by the Council of Ministers of EEC of the application of this country?
As far as I know, they have not yet taken a decision in principle to enter into negotiations on the application for membership. They have indicated their views about the applications of the various countries. The Deputy is asking for detailed answers to these questions without waiting until the Council of Ministers meets on 19th December.
What is the precise purpose of the meeting if it is not to consider the applications of applicant countries?
They will consider them but they have not yet done so formally in the sense in which the Deputy asks the question.
Do I take it that the application of this country will be considered by the Council in the absence of any representative from this country?
As far as I know, all of these arrangements have already been made.
What arrangements?
Does it follow from what arrangements are made that Ireland will be represented formally at the hearing?
As far as I know, the Council are considering applications on a general basis.
Of documentation rather than of actual persons?
In the light of the fact that the Ministers' discussions will probably include consideration of the Commission's report, and as nobody in this country has yet seen the Commission's report, would the Government consider making it available to Deputies?
I could not answer the question.
When the Minister says that this will be considered in conjunction with documentation which will be before the Ministers of the Six, does he in fact mean the report of the Commission?
The report of the Commission will be before the Council.
On the application?
On the application.