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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Apr 1968

Vol. 234 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.

1.

asked the Taoiseach if, in view of the apparent deadlock regarding the admission of the applicant countries, including Ireland, to the EEC, he will now consider the advisability of an interim agreement between this country and that body.

2.

asked the Taoiseach whether any reappraisal of this country's approach to membership of the EEC is under way.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

As Deputies are aware, various proposals for some form of interim arrangement between the applicant countries and the Community are still before the Council of the European Economic Community. The Council has not yet found it possible to reach agreement, but is meeting again on the 9th May to discuss the matter further.

Would the Taoiseach not accept the fact that there does not appear to be any agreement on any of the proposals among the Ministers concerned from the different European Economic Community countries and, in the light of that, could he not indicate to the Dáil what attitude it is likely the Government will take in future to eliminate the present standstill system with regard to our application?

As I said in my original reply, the Community countries are still discussing the different suggestions that have been put forward for greater co-operation between the Community Members and the applicant countries. So long as they are still considering the situation, it is better, I think, that we should await the outcome of their consideration. I do not at all accept that there is, as the Deputy suggests, stalemate at the present time.

Would the Taoiseach not agree that there is likely to be a considerable delay before any decision is taken either by the Ministers or by the Commission and, because of that, would he not consider that the state of uncertainty which naturally exists here should be resolved by him and his Government as soon as possible by some positive action on their part?

The Deputy's suggestion of some positive action seems to imply that we should make some independent arrangement with the Community. I indicated in replies to previous questions that I do not think that is possible; any interim arrangement with the Community will have to be with all the applicant countries.

I suggest to the Taoiseach that we should make some interim trade agreement with the EEC. Would he not agree with that?

I said in my reply that I do not think that is feasible so long as the Council members are considering the arrangement with the Four, and possibly with more.

Has the Taoiseach's attention been directed to the fact that the Six have recently decided to equip themselves with emergency power to impose special duties on agricultureal exports to the Six? In the light of that new development, would he not agree that some discussion should take place to ascertain at least in how far it is intended such emergency restrictions will apply to agricultural exports from this country and how those restrictions will affect exports from this country?

We are aware of all the developments within the Community and, in so far as such developments may affect us, we are in constant touch with the Community, through our representatives, and with the Commission to ensure that as far as possible no adverse effect will ensue for us.

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