asked the Taoiseach if, in view of the divergent concessions sought by the four applicant countries to the EEC, he will indicate what period is likely to elapse before full agreement may be reached so that the four applicant countries may accede to the Community at the same time.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
1.
The Government are hopeful that it will be possible to conclude the negotiations and to have the Treaties of Accession ratified in time to enable the applicant countries to accede to the Communities at the beginning of 1973. The Community has taken the position that all four applicant countries should accede simultaneously and we, of course, support that position.
Can the Taoiseach say if we have agreed to the same transitional period?
Yes. Two weeks ago, our delegation gave this information.
Of five years?
Yes.
Does the Taoiseach consider that, by 1973, the two outstanding problems, as I see them—the fisheries problem and the purchase of land problem—will be settled to the satisfaction of the Irish Government?
That will be a subject matter for negotiation. I cannot anticipate the length of the negotiations that will take place. I can only offer a reasonable assessment.
As the EEC itself has not, so far, produced a common fisheries policy, does the Taoiseach not consider it an optimistic forecast that everything will be perfectly in order, in regard to this point and to the other point I raise, by 1973?
I cannot anticipate what will take place. I expect that these problems will be solved within a year.