Vol. 245 No. 1
asked the Minister for External Affairs if arising out of his recent discussions with the Ministers of the EEC countries he is now in a position to make a statement on the attitude of these countries towards the application of this country for admission to the EEC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
24.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will make a statement on his discussions relative to Ireland's application to join the EEC with the Dutch Foreign Minister, Mr. Joseph Luns, on 18th February, 1970, at The Hague.
25.
asked the Minister for External Affairs on what date the negotiations relative to Ireland's application to join the EEC are likely to commence.
26.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if, in relation to the agreement between himself and the Dutch Foreign Minister at The Hague on 18th February, 1970, that the British and Irish applications for EEC membership should commence and end simultaneously, he will elaborate on that statement.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 to 26 together.
I visited The Hague on the 17th and 18th February as part of the programme of visits which I have been making to the capitals of the Member States of the European Communities and of the other applicant countries. In my discussions with the Foreign Minister, Mr. Joseph Luns, he assured me of the full support of the Netherlands Government for Ireland's application for EEC membership. I impressed on the Foreign Minister the vital importance which we attach to the simultaneous opening of negotiations and the simultaneous accession of all the applicant countries. Mr. Luns also assured me that he appreciated our concern regarding this matter, particularly in view of our special trading relations with Great Britain, and he said that the policy of the Netherlands Government is that negotiations with all the candidates should begin and end at the same time.
No specific date has been fixed for the opening of the accession negotiations, but at The Hague summit meeting on the 1st-2nd December last the Member States agreed that their preparations for the adoption of common negotiating positions should not extend beyond the end of June, and that negotiations with the applicants could start soon afterwards. The Government Ministers whom I have met on my visits to the Member States have all expressed optimism that the negotiations can commence on schedule. I have also received assurances from these Ministers of their Governments' full support for Ireland's application for membership of the EEC.
Could the Minister say if the other EEC countries as well as the Netherlands agree to simultaneous negotiation?
Most of the Ministers I have met have seen the reason in our position and the points we have made regarding a simultaneous commencement of negotiations and accession.
Can I take it from the Minister's reply that when the discussions start all the applicant countries will be considered together?
Yes, that is what I believe will happen.
Does the Minister not think that the, shall we say, economic conditions in this country would suggest we should have separate, individual discussions? After all, we are more vitally concerned with agriculture than the others.
It is intended there will be separate negotiations with each of the four applicants and that there will be four separate treaties.
Four sets of negotiations going on simultaneously?
Yes. Is that not what the Deputy was asking?
I do not think the Minister quite understood. Would it not be in the national interest to have separate negotiations, because our position is somewhat different from the other countries?
This is what I expect will happen. There will be separate negotiations for each applicant country but the negotiations for all four will start together and finish together. There will be separate negotiations.
Has the Minister seen a report that the applicant countries will be consulted during the period of negotiations about the evolution of a common policy by the Six? Has he any information on the authenticity of this report?
I have some information. I do not want to say anything about it on this question at this time.
I shall put down a separate question.
Did the Minister see the newspaper reports last week that we would be in EEC in 1978? Would I be more correct in forecasting that in 1984 we shall still be discussing this matter in this House?
I have expressed the opinion that accession will take place in 1972.
What value was there in the statement by Doctor Luns that he will support the Irish application? May we assume that the Minister discussed Ireland's application with him and mentioned reservations and conditions of negotiation in view of our special position?
At this juncture, the most important thing for this country is to establish that the applicant countries all negotiate and commence together and accede together because of our trading relationship with Great Britain.
Will there be an appreciation by Doctor Luns, and by the other people whom the Minister met, of Ireland's special position, particularly with regard to industry?
Yes, I am sure there will be. We have not had any negotiation with Doctor Luns yet. At this pre-negotiation stage it is important that our position is clear. That is that our application should start and finish with that of Great Britain and run simultaneously with it.
When will be have the White Paper?
At the end of March or early in April.
With the fullest information?
As full as is compatible with the national interest.
Or with Fianna Fáil's interest.
