asked the Taoiseach whether the Government will begin negotiations with the European Economic Community for a partial preferential trade agreement on the lines of the one existing between the Community and Israel pending the formal entry of this country into the Community; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
1.
Ireland's aim is full membership of the Communities at the earliest possible date. As the Deputy is aware, the question of enlargement of the European Economic Communities is under active consideration at the moment. I see no merit at this time in our being diverted from our main objective by searching for an arrangement such as Israel is seeking even if it were appropriate in our case, which is doubtful.
The Taoiseach is, of course, aware that Israel already has an agreement, which has just expired and they are now seeking an extension of it. Would the Taoiseach have regard to the serious difficulties that may arise if what has been proposed in Brussels this week were to occur? It has been suggested in Brussels that there might be a lapse of time between Britain's entry into the Community and Ireland's entry, and in such circumstances does the Taoiseach not think a partial agreement would reduce some of the ill-effects which would fall in such a period?
I do not think there will be any lapse of time between Britain's entry and Ireland's entry. The suggestion was created as a result of an interpretation of the remarks of the Dutch Foreign Minister. I think he was surrounded by newsmen, at that stage, who were asking him a lot of questions. I think either the question or the answer was misinterpreted, because since then the Dutch Foreign Ministry have confirmed that it remains their policy to ensure that the opening and closing of the negotiations will be simultaneous. They do acknowledge, as a matter of practical necessity, that it may be necessary to give some priority to British negotiations in the interim.
In view of the Taoiseach's reply and in view of some of the conflicting reports as to what has happened in the Hague in the last two days, would the Taoiseach say whether or not there has been any communication from our representatives in the Hague on this matter?
Yes, we have been in constant communication.
In the last 24 hours?
In the last hour I received this message from our representative, through the Department of External Affairs, confirming the attitude of the Dutch Foreign Ministry, which we always understood it to be, that negotiations with the four applicant countries would open simultaneously and that entry should also be simultaneous.
Is there any idea as to when these talks might begin?
It is hoped that they will begin by the 30th June, but no actual date was written into the communiqué.
Would the Taoiseach agree that the result of yesterday's talks are disappointing from our point of view and that there is a growing possibility, in view of the large turnaway of public opinion in Britain, that Britain may withdraw her application for membership? In the light of the remoteness of our accession to the Community would the Taoiseach not agree that a review of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement is all the more urgent?
That is a separate question.
I do not think there is any danger of the British withdrawing their application.
In spite of what the Dutch Foreign Ministry have said, a decision in respect of our application would depend on the action of the six member countries together, rather than on the action of one?
Yes. I have concentrated on the Dutch because we have no information from the other member countries that they have changed their minds about simultaneous entry. As I have already said, the Dutch Foreign Minister may have been misinterpreted, but the Dutch Foreign Ministry have clarified their position.
Does the Taoiseach not listen to the RTE news at 1.30 p.m.?
I think the RTE correspondent corrected what he said last night.
We have 139 Questions on the Order Paper.
What about the comment made by Monsieur Pompidou the day before?
What Monsieur Pompidou said yesterday is more important than what he said the day before.
He said France was not prepared to fix a date for the start of the talks. This is a typical French approach to the whole problem.