asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will consider including in the future Irish negotiating team next September to the EEC economic and social experts designated to act as Irish observers from the employer, trade union and farming organisations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
14.
As the Taoiseach stated in the Dáil last month, it is the Government's intention to maintain continuous consultation with major representative bodies during the course of the negotiations. It is not, however, intended to include representatives of such bodies in the negotiating team.
15.
asked the Minister for External Affairs whether the current negotiations between the EEC and applicant States will be affected by the statement of the President of France that the financial requirements of EEC membership will not be changed to suit British interests; to what extent Ireland's negotiators will seek any alterations in the financial requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Deputy is presumably referring to the statement made by President Pompidou at his press conference on the 2nd July. The question of the financial obligations to be assumed by Britain on joining the EEC is, no doubt, one of the major matters which will arise in the British negotiations but, as the Deputy will appreciate, it would be inappropriate for me to speculate on the possible outcome of their negotiations on this question. So far as this country is concerned the financial obligations of membership are not expected to create a problem for us.
16.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what effect Ireland's membership of the EEC will have upon American investment in this country; in particular, whether the United States Government will continue to treat Ireland as a less developed area for preferential taxation treatment; whether preferential treatment of existing American investment in Ireland will continue; whether he has made any representations to the United States Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
While it is not possible at this time to say how the treatment of this country under the tax measures relating to the taxation of US investment abroad might possibly be affected by our membership of the EEC, it is reasonable to expect, as the White Paper on the implications of membership of the EEC concludes, that membership will considerably enhance the attractions of Ireland as a base for new foreign industrial investment.
17.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what effect Ireland's membership of the GATT may have on the application for EEC membership; and if he will make a statement on this matter generally.
There is no reason why Ireland's membership of the GATT should have any effect on our application for EEC membership. The EEC is a customs union and, as such, the preferential trading arrangements as between its member States are in conformity with the rules of the GATT. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, all the present member States of the EEC and the applicant countries are contracting parties to the GATT.
18.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will publish the text of the communication received from the Council of Ministers of the European Economic Community conveying the decision of the Ministers at their meeting on 21 July last to officially inform this State of developments during the course of negotiations between Britain and the Commission which could have a bearing on Irish interests.
The Community have informed us of their decision taken on 21st July that the President in office of the Council at ministerial or official level, whichever is appropriate, will, after each negotiating session with an applicant country, brief the other applicant countries. The Commission will, in addition, ensure the supply of constant and detailed information to the applicants on the progress of the negotiations. The arrangement agreed upon also envisages that there should be consultations at the request of an applicant country on matters of common interest arising in the negotiations with any of the other applicant countries, and that the final negotiating solution on these matters should be reached on a multilateral basis.