asked the Taoiseach what plans, if any, he has for meeting other heads of State this year; and if he will outline who they might be.
3.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Summit Conference.
1.
asked the Taoiseach if he proposes to attend the October summit meeting of EEC countries; and whether he will be outlining the Government's approach to the economic, cultural and political problems of the Community.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 3 together.
A conference of the heads of State or Government of the six EEC countries and four acceding countries is to be held in Paris in October. It is my intention to attend and to participate fully in the discussions on the agenda items for the meeting, which will be concerned with economic, social and political developments in the Community when it is enlarged. I have no plans at present for other meetings.
Can the Taoiseach indicate whether he will be pressing at that summit meeting for a more thorough-going policy on regional planning in the enlarged EEC and whether he will also be pressing the proposal that our approval for other development plans for the Community would be contingent on the formulation of a proper regional policy?
I have already indicated the importance we attach to the regional policy. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has also impressed its importance at meetings of Foreign Ministers which he attended. I can assure the Deputy I will use my best endeavours to impress on other members and acceding members what we feel about the importance of a regional policy.
Has there been any tentative arrangements for the Taoiseach to have a meeting with Mr. Heath on the Northern situation during that summit?
That is an entirely separate question.
There have been no tentative arrangements made for such a meeting but these things are always possible.
Is the Taoiseach aware that certain newspaper reports have indicated that the President of France is of the opinion that he could have the conference called off unilaterally? Can one country effect a postponement or a calling-off of the conference?
One country could make sure there would not be a total complement of ten but investigations we have made indicate that the meeting will go ahead as planned.