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Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Apr 1975

Vol. 279 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Summit Meeting.

3.

asked the Taoiseach if his statement that the terms of Britain's renegotiation of membership of the European Community were finally settled at the recent summit meeting in Dublin applies also in respect of the European Coal and Steel Community.

Is the Taoiseach aware of the statement subsequently made by the British Prime Minister that he and his Government now intend to turn their attention to the question of steel and, if he is so aware, could he indicate what his understanding of that statement is?

I am aware of the statement. As the Deputy knows, the British Prime Minister indicated at the summit meeting here that it was not proposed to raise the question of steel. That statement was issued. Subsequently he confirmed that statement in another statement in the House of Commons. I understand the intention of the British Government is to raise this question in the normal way at the EEC Council meeting.

Is the Taoiseach satisfied that the intention of the British Government to raise this matter in the normal way means that no further renegotiations—I am putting renegotiations in inverted commas— will be conducted by the British Government, renegotiations which will in fact go to the very root of the Communities and the Treaties establishing the Communities?

The Prime Minister's statement was to the effect this would not be raised before the referendum. Any member country, as the Deputy is aware, is free of course to raise a matter at any time in the Council. It is another matter whether the Council will accede to the request.

The Taoiseach says member countries are entitled to raise matters of any kind in the Council. I presume he will qualify that by "any matter within the terms of the Treaties establishing the Communities". Is the Taoiseach satisfied that the British Government will not raise any other fundamental matters which would affect the nature of the Communities and the Treaties establishing the Communities?

The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot, any more than anybody else, foretell or foresee what the British Government or any other Government may do. The procedure for amending the ECSC Treaty is provided for in Article 96. That Article provides that:

the Government of any Member State or the Commission may propose amendments to this Treaty. Such proposals shall be submitted to the Council. If the Council, acting by a two-thirds majority, delivers an opinion in favour of calling a conference of representatives of the Governments of the Member States, the conference shall be convened forthwith by the President of the Council for the purpose of determining by common accord the amendments to be made to the Treaty.

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