asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he has completed his investigations into the likely effects of EEC membership on Irish agriculture; and, if so, when his findings will be published.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Effects of EEC Membership.
12.
The examination of the implications of EEC membership for Irish agriculture, which is being made for the National Agricultural Council by a special Study Group, has, I understand, reached an advanced stage but completion of it is awaiting final decisions expected to be taken shortly by the EEC Council of Ministers on a number of major aspects of the Community's agricultural policy.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the introduction of the single market stage for beef and milk, in which of course we have a special interest, has been deferred from 1st April to 1st June, 1968; in addition, the Council of Ministers have before them at present a number of other important proposals affecting the Community's agricultural policy on which they are expected to arrive at final decisions during the next few months; these matters are of considerable significance in connection with the work of the Study Group.