asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if this country has two representatives in Brussels; if so, why two are necessary; and what duties are performed by the official representing this country and not accredited to EEC duties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Brussels Representatives.
6.
From 1959 to 1966 the functions of Ambassador to Belgium and of Head of Mission to the European Communities were performed by the one person. With a view to the reactivation of this country's application for membership of the EEC and to the consequent stepping up of activity at Brussels it became necessary in October, 1966, to establish a separate Mission to the Communities.
The Ambassador to Belgium performs the normal diplomatic, commercial and consular functions associated with his accredition to that country.
Was the absence of a second ambassador presumed to have been responsible for our failure to get into the Community on a former occasion?
That is a separate question.
It had nothing to do with the question.
It has.
It is quite true that it had nothing to do with that question.