asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the recent request by the President of the Irish Farmers' Association that the Government should seek full membership of the EEC immediately.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Membership.
38.
While the early ending of the transitional period provided for in the Accession Treaty would involve considerable advantages for some of our agricultural exports, it would be unrealistic to expect that the transition could be ended only where this would be advantageous for us and not where difficulties would arise as in the case of the removal of protection for Irish industry. It should also be borne in mind that, if the balance of the Accession Treaty were being disturbed in order to provide advantages for one member state, other member states would undoubtedly seek offsetting advantages for themselves. There is also the consideration that, even if the early ending of the transitional period were regarded as being in the overall national interest, the negotiation of the necessary amendments to the treaty and their ratification by all nine member states would account for a substantial proportion of the remainder of the transitional period.
Has the Minister made an in-depth assessment of the advantages to be derived from this?
There has been an assessment made of the advantages. As I indicated in the reply, it would be a very complex and complicated procedure to get this request adhered to. Whilst it would undoubtedly have advantages so far as agriculture is concerned, it could be said these advantages might delay other sectors of our industrial development. Of course, on entry we were anxious—and the then Government were, I am sure—to keep the transitional period in agriculture as limited as possible whilst, on the other hand, getting a more extended period for other industrial development.
In the light of the disastrous position of farming enterprises at present, would the Minister not give the proposal immediate examination?
I do not accept the term "disastrous position".
The Parliamentary Secretary ought to tell the farmers that.
Oliver Flanagan does.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.
As you people over there know, the position is that we are a member of the European Economic Community now and we have to accept the disadvantages as well as the advantages.
(Interruptions.)
Do your job in Brussels.
You are failing in Brussels.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.
Does that mean £1 for a calf?
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that the pig industry is suffering heavy losses? One instance of it is where pig producers involved in the small farm incentive bonus scheme, even though they are still continuing their pig enterprise at the moment, have to be marked out by the instructors because they are showing very heavy losses. The result is that those farmers will not be allowed their animal payments.
The Deputy is making a long speech. Deputy Leonard, the Chair is addressing you.
I am sure the Deputy is as pleased as I am that the pig industry is coming back again.
Is it back?
Coming back again.
Your Minister said it was back.
Last week the Minister said it was back.
You made as much hay out of it as you possibly could during the local elections.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary outline for us clearly here and now the advantages that would accrue to the agricultural sectors of our community if we had full membership of the EEC?
I have made a statement which I do not think it necessary to repeat. The statement is incorporated in the reply. In the course of answering supplementary questions I adverted to the fact that it would be an advantage so far as agriculture is concerned, because you people negotiated the treaty.
Outline the advantages.
Deputy G. Collins claims to be a spokesman for Fianna Fáil on agriculture. I am sure the Deputy——
Let us have the advantages, not my pedigree.
(Interruptions.)
I have answered the question.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary outline the advantages that would accrue to our farming community if we had full membership of the EEC at present?
This question relates to the Government seeking full membership of the EEC.
Pack up and go home. The Parliamentary Secretary should give the information sought or else say he has not got it.
Fourpence for an egg and £1 for a calf.
Next question.
Your Minister told us yesterday that the pig industry was back.
Deputy G. Collins, please.
Coming back, coming back.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy G. Collins, Deputy MacSharry and others, please allow Question Time to continue in an orderly fashion.