asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a decision taken by one of the parties in the Coalition Government of the Republic of Austria to recommend that Austria should apply for membership of the European Economic Community; whether Ireland would in principle be in support of such an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Austrian-EC Relations.
20.
As I told the Deputy on 4 November last, Austria, among other EFTA countries, has been re-examining its relationship with the Community, and this re-examination has focused on strengthening existing relations with the Community. The Austrian People's Party (OVP) the smaller of the two parties forming the Austrian coalition Government, has now adopted a motion calling on the Government to seek membership of the Community. Austria has not make a formal application for accession to the Community. Such an application, if made, would be addressed to the Council; Article 237 of the EEC Treaty states that the Council shall act unanimously, after obtaining the opinion of the Commission.