asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will have any consultations with the new British Government regarding Irish negotiations for entry into the EEC.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Membership.
15.
I have sought early meetings with the new British Foreign Secretary, Sir Alec Douglas-Home, and Mr. Anthony Barber, the Minister with responsibility for the British EEC negotiations.
Will the Taoiseach or his Ministers impress on the British Government that our interests are not identical to those of Britain as regards negotiation for entry into EEC? Britain wants cheap food. We want to get the maximum price for our food.
The Deputy need have no fear on that score.
About a month ago, the Taoiseach said he assumed that our negotiations and Britain's negotiations would run parallel. Now, according to information from Brussels, Britain will start negotiations in July while we may not start negotiations until September or October.
That is a separate question.
It is not. If our entry is to be safeguarded we should have parallel discussions with the EEC countries. If Britain succeeds in getting cheap food then we cannot succeed in getting maximum prices.
That is a separate question.
The meeting next month arranged for the British is expected to be of a very preliminary nature. The expectation is that the real negotiations will not commence until September. Then our first working meeting will be held. Every effort is being made to ensure that negotiations will be parallel and that our interests will be safeguarded.
Will there be simultaneous negotiations from September onwards?
It depends on the interpretation of the word "simultaneous". They will not necessarily be in the same room at the same time on the same day. The negotiations will run parallel with a view to simultaneous accession.
Has the Taoiseach made representations that, in the course of the negotiations with the British, if any matter affecting Ireland arises—apart from willingness or unwillingness on the part of the British—the EEC negotiators should consult Ireland's representatives so that Ireland's interests would be taken into account?
We made such representations very firmly.
What was the response?
(Interruptions).
Will the Irish delegation be informed each day of the results of the negotiations with Britain and be able to take any steps they deem necessary in Ireland's interests?
We are not sure we will be told at the end of each day about the British negotiations. We have endeavoured to ensure—I trust successfully—that anything material to our cause will be made known to us so that any decisions that might be come to would not be arrived at in advance of taking account of our situation and of our having the opportunity of making our position known.
Will the Taoiseach say whether consultations with the British Government will take place before negotiations between the EEC and the British Government commence on the 21st July?
I do not expect any consultations will take place before the 21st July apart from the opening consultations or opening statements that have been made today.
I am talking about consultations between ourselves and the British. Will the Taoiseach ensure that these take place before then?
If that is possible it will be done. I am not sure yet because the British Government have been in office only about ten days. We will make every effort to ensure that no time will be lost.