asked the Taoiseach whether he proposes to call personally on Premier Wilson before the next Budget to discuss the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement; whether any attempt by way of consultation with the British Government will be made before the next Budget to ensure that the Government will be made aware of any further action which the British Government may take this year against external trading interests which will include trade from this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement
1.
As I stated in reply to a question on 4th February, a meeting at ministerial level will take place in London later this month to consider further all the issues arising out of my discussions with the British Prime Minister on the 29th November including the working of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement. If necessary, this meeting will be followed by a further meeting between Mr. Wilson and myself.
The forthcoming discussions will be concerned with, among other things, the need for close and timely consultations on matters of common economic interest, including any British measures that might have implications for the external trade of this country.
Could the Taoiseach say what the personnel of the delegation to the British Government will be?
It is not decided. It is likely to be from the three economic Ministries, as they are called, Finance, Agriculture and Industry and Commerce.
May we assume, pending the discussions in contemplation, that the Taoiseach is reasonably sure no unilateral action in the matter of cheese exports is in contemplation?
I hope not. We are in very close contact with the British about this. We expect that cheese may be one of the subjects under discussion.
Is the Taoiseach aware that an exactly parallel situation arose in 1948 when there was a proposal by the British Government to increase the levy on cattle? I, as Minister for Agriculture, went there in anticipation of the trade negotiations contemplated that year and the Chancellor, Mr. Stafford Cripps, waived the proposal pending the negotiations. That precedent might be of some value to the Taoiseach.
It is useful to be reminded of it.