asked the Taoiseach if he is now in a position to announce the names of the members of the delegation who will conduct negotiations concerning the application of this country to join the European Economic Community.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC
1.
If the Deputy repeats his question in about two weeks I hope to be in a position to give him the information he seeks.
Is the Taoiseach in a position to say yet when negotiations will actually open?
The recent meeting of the Council of Ministers indicated that negotiations would commence formally on 30th June.
Would the Taoiseach say if, in fact, there will be joint negotiations between the Four and the EEC, or will it merely mean the preliminary meeting will include the four applicants and then Britain will proceed to negotiate on her own?
The procedure has not yet been decided, but I would anticipate the original meeting would involve all four applicants. I would also anticipate that there will be separate negotiations with each applicant country simultaneously in so far as that can be assured.
I take it that Britain will complete her negotiations and then the other three will negotiate.
No. I do not anticipate that. They will be simultaneous so far as they can be simultaneous and then all negotiations will conclude at the same time and, if the terms are acceptable, the countries will accede together.
The procedure has not been fixed yet.
Not yet, no.
In respect of the announcement about parliamentary representation, is that decision final or is it not?
The Deputy means representation as between the different countries?
Yes.
I expect that will be the formula for representation.
2.
asked the Taoiseach if, in view of the numerous constitutional changes which will become necessary upon Ireland's accession to the EEC, he is considering separate amendments of the Constitution or putting before the people a completely new Constitution and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I do not accept the assumption that numerous constitutional changes would become necessary to enable Ireland to accede to the European Economic Community. I would hope that a single amendment would be adequate for the purpose. In this connection, I would refer the Deputy to paragraph 1.9 of the White Paper "Membership of the European Communities—Implications for Ireland" which says:—
An Interdepartmental Committee under the chairmanship of the Attorney General has considered the implications of membership of the European Communities with respect to the Constitution and has concluded that an amendment to the Constitution would be necessary to enable the State to undertake membership of the Communities and the obligations arising from such membership.
When will the Taoiseach be in a position to announce the amendment?
I could not say when yet, but I do not expect it will be very long delayed once negotiations commence.
May we take it there will be no amendment to the Constitution on any matter until negotiations for membership are completed?
I could not say that definitely, but I expect that will be the case. Other amendments, as I have indicated already to the House, are in contemplation. Whether these can be introduced at the same time is a matter for decision.
These are amendments not directly concerned with our membership of the EEC?
Yes.
If there are protracted negotiations the Taoiseach would consider amendments?
I would consider any amendments in the meantime.
We could have two or three referenda.
That could happen, but it is a situation I would prefer to avoid because it is a difficult and costly procedure.