asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the fact that this country's contribution to the EEC budget was assessed on the average GNP for 1970, 1971 and 1972, when the economy was in a buoyant state, he will indicate whether the contribution needs to be revised in the light of the current economic climate.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Budget.
24.
This country's contribution to the budget of the European Communities is subject to certain limits based on a percentage share of Community GNP of 0.61 per cent which approximated to our share of that GNP in 1970, the year prior to that of the accession negotiations, and not on the average GNP for the years 1970, 1971 and 1972, as suggested by the Deputy. The latest relevant figures published by the Statistical Office of the Communities relate to 1973 and these, together with very tentative estimates of the position in 1974 prepared in my Department, suggests that this country's share of Community GNP was not significantly lower in the first and second years of our membership than in 1970.
I should point out that this figure of 0.61 per cent will not, in fact, be fully applicable for the purpose mentioned until 1978 at the earliest and that in the interval a graduated phasing-in system operates under which our contribution to the Communities' budget in 1975, for example, is reduced to 0.428 per cent.
In the circumstances I do not consider that the question of seeking a revision of the arrangements governing our contribution to the Communities' budget, which would of course involve a renegotiation of the Treaty of Accession, arises.