asked the Taoiseach whether any decision has been made on the procedure to be adopted for putting the view for entry to the EEC before the people
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
5.
The basic information in regard to the European Communities and the implications of membership are set out in the White Paper, published earlier this month, entitled The Accession of Ireland to the European Communities. It will be a matter for each political party and group to formulate its own attitude to membership and put its case before the electorate.
Would the Taoiseach say whether or not a report in some newspapers to the effect that civil servants would be sent around the country to explain the implications of membership is correct?
I have not seen that report. This is the first I have heard of it.
Possibly the Taoiseach would get some of his aides to check on it?
There is no intention of doing what the report to which the Deputy referred suggests.
There was such a report in the newspapers.
Civil servants might be sent to organisations looking for clarification, but they would not be sent as propagandists.
Organisations seeking clarification?
Or information.
It is the job of the Fianna Fáil Party to put the case for the EEC and ours to put the contrary. I suggest it would be entirely wrong to allow civil servants to engage in discussions on what is basically and essentially a political decision.
We have met a request from the Congress of Trade Unions for an official to give that kind of information and it is, I think, wise to do so if people want such information.
Has there been a complete change in the method of procedure on political matters in this country in the past four or five years?
No.
Yes, there has.
(Interruptions.)
Order. Question No. 6, to the Taoiseach.