asked the Taoiseach if he will state in relation to the application for EEC membership the growth of the gross national products per head at 1963 market price in respect of EEC countries, EFTA countries and the Republic of Ireland in the form of a table published in a newspaper (details supplied) circulating in this country on 11th February, 1970.
Written Answers. - Membership of EEC.
165.
The information requested by the Deputy is shown in the following table:
Growth of gross national product per head at 1963 market prices 1958-67
Average annual percentage increase
|
% |
% |
||
|
Ireland |
3.6 |
E.F.T.A. countries: |
|
|
United Kingdom |
2.5 |
||
|
E.E.C. countries: |
Sweden |
3.8 |
|
|
Germany |
3.7 |
Norway |
4.0 |
|
France |
3.9 |
Denmark |
4.2 |
|
Italy |
4.8 |
Austria |
3.7 |
|
Belgium |
3.8 |
Switzerland |
3.1 |
|
Luxembourg |
N.A. |
Portugal |
5.2 |
|
Netherlands |
3.7 |
||
|
Average all E.E.C. countries* |
4.0 |
Average of all E.F.T.A. countries* |
3.0 |
*At 1963 exchange rates.
Source—The figures for countries other than Ireland are taken from Table 14 of the White Paper “Britain and the European Communities—An Economic Assessment” issued recently by the British Government.
166.
asked the Taoiseach if in relation to the application for EEC membership he will expand table 2, published in a newspaper (details supplied) circulating in this country on 11th February 1970 by stating the appropriate figures and prices applicable to the Republic of Ireland.
The published figures to which the Deputy refers are as follows:
RETAIL prices of main foodstuffs in the EEC and the United Kingdom, October, 1969.
|
Country |
Beef (per lb) |
Milk(per pint) |
Butter(per lb) |
|||
|
s. |
d. |
s. |
d. |
s. |
d. |
|
|
Belgium |
15 |
4 (steak) |
10 |
7 |
11 |
|
|
France |
12 |
8 (steak) |
9 |
7 |
5 |
|
|
Germany |
9 |
4 (hind, boneless) |
11 |
7 |
4 |
|
|
Italy |
12 |
0 (first quality) |
1 |
0 |
9 |
7 |
|
Netherlands |
11 |
11 (roasting) |
10 |
7 |
6 |
|
|
United Kingdom |
8 |
7 (sirloin, without bone) |
11 |
3 |
4 |
NOTES:
(1) Prices relate to October, 1969, except for Italy for which they relate to July, 1969.
(2) As far as possible the quotations given are for the most representative type or quality consumed in each country. Because of the differences between countries of the types, presentation and quality of foodstuffs, the prices can provide a broad indication only of price relatives.
These figures were taken from Table 7 of the White Paper "Britain and the European Communities—An Economic Assessment" issued recently by the British Government.
The average retail price level in Ireland as computed for the Consumer Price Index was 7s 9d per lb. for sirloin steak, 9d per pint for milk and 4s 10d per lb. for creamery butter in November, 1969.
167.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if in relation to the application for EEC membership he will expand tables 3 and 4 published in a newspaper (details supplied) circulating in this country on 11th February, 1970 by stating the appropriate figures and prices applicable to the Republic of Ireland.
As I indicated in the House on 5th February, I hope to have published in the near future a study of the main implications for Irish agriculture of membership of the European Communities. This study and the proposed White Paper on membership, to which the Taoiseach referred in the House on 4th February, will include such appropriate estimates as can realistically be made in our case. The Deputy will, of course, appreciate that the position of Ireland as a food exporting country differs basically from that of Britain, a large food importing country.