asked the Taoiseach if, in the event of Ireland being admitted to the EEC, any commitments in connection with matters relating to defence become necessary; and, if so, to what extent.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
1.
I would refer the Deputy to paragraph 2.6 of Chapter 2 of the White Paper on the Implications for Ireland of Membership of the European Communities.
Will the Taoiseach have that paragraph circulated with the Official Report?
If that is possible I shall certainly do it.
The paragraph referred to is as follows:
"It will be seen from the foregoing that the EEC is still at a very early stage in its political evolution and its members are at present bound only by the general terms of the Treaty of Rome, which do not impose specific obligations on member States in the political field. In this situation it is not possible to be more precise now about the political implications of membership which may evolve. The Government have clearly indicated our acceptance of the aims of the Treaty of Rome and our readiness to join with the member States of the EEC in working towards the realisation of these aims. It is recognised that, as the Communities evolve towards their political objectives, those participating in the new Europe thereby created must be prepared to assist, if necessary, in its defence. As a member of the expanded Communities, Ireland would be playing her part in shaping their political development and, therefore, would have a voice in all the decisions to be taken in this field, as in other aspects of the Communities' activities."
Is the Taoiseach aware of the statement of the Minister for External Affairs that we are willing to fulfil all obligations, including defence, of any possible European community? Is the Taoiseach aware of this undertaking given by the Minister for External Affairs?
When we become a member of a community we are part of that community and, therefore, it would be in our interests to defend the community. That is what the Minister for External Affairs said.
The Taoiseach will agree this would mean defending existing territorial divisions of that European community including divisions in this country and elsewhere?
No, the Deputy said that on the last occasion and I rejected that implication.
Is the Taoiseach saying that the United Kingdom would not become a member of that community?
It would but by becoming a member we do not in any way abrogate our desire for unification of this country.
2.
asked the Minister for External Affairs whether the possible inclusion of South Africa in the Common Market was raised in discussions which he attended; and whether his Department has been aware of a possible application to join by South Africa.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the negative. As regards the second part we have seen press reports concerning a possible application by South Africa to join the EEC but we have no confirmation of these reports. As the Deputy is aware the Treaty of Rome provides for membership by European States only.
Would we have any particular attitude to express in the event of an application for membership by the South African Republic?
We are not a member ourselves at this time. I feel it would be unlikely that membership of South Africa would be possible because the Treaty of Rome envisages that membership would be confined to European States. The relevant articles are Article 237 of the EEC, Article 205 of Euratom and Article 98 of the European Coal and Steel Community Treaty. Only a European State may apply for membership under the terms of these articles. As regards association, there does not seem to be any precedent for a developed African country, there is a precedent for undeveloped or developing countries. I think the nature of the regime there would be a difficulty too.