asked the Taoiseach if, in view of the fact that Ireland has an unemployment rate of 5.5 per cent which is almost two per cent higher than the highest unemployment rate recorded in the EEC, and 4.3 per cent higher than the lowest unemployment rate recorded in the EEC, he will say how entry into the European Economic Community in the near future will affect our unemployment percentage.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
14.
I would expect that, after our accession to the European Economic Community, our unemployment percentage would move closer to that which obtains in the community generally. The rate and extent of the change would, in the early years of our membership, depend to a considerable extent on the terms of entry to be negotiated.
The Taoiseach does not believe, in any case, that this rate will increase on our entry into EEC, if ever?
I do not think it will. It will improve considerably.
I wonder if the Taoiseach when he is making his speech tomorrow will be able to give us an idea of how he thinks it will improve? That will be interesting.