asked the Minster for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Austrian Government to apply for membership of the EC; if it is intended to support the Austrian application, especially in view of the country's neutral status; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Austrian EC Membership.
40.
The Austrian application for membership of the European Communities, which refers to Austria's status of permanent neutrality, was lodged in Brussels on Monday 17 July.
In our view Austria, as a democratic European Country which fully respects human rights, is eminently qualified to apply for membership of the Community.
After an application is made set procedures have to be followed, involving an opinion by the Commission and the assent of the European Parliament. In the Government's view, these procedures should now be set in train. Pending the outcome of these procedures, it would not be appropriate for the Government to express a view on possible future membership of the Community by Austria or any other country. In accordance with the Community treaties, it will be for the Council, which of course includes Ireland, to act at a subsequent stage. This Act of the Council has to be unanimous.
Will the Minister confirm the report of a fairly positive response by him at the recent meeting concerning an application by Austria because he has questioned the veracity of part of the report with regard to his comments or alleged comments on Irish neutrality? Will the Minister confirm that the Irish Government welcome the application by Austria and support it, and that his comments with regard to Irish neutrality were not misquoted?
There is no doubt with regard to what I said in Brussels to a number of journalists on Monday afternoon last with regard to the attitude of this country to the application for membership of the Community by Austria. In The Irish Times there was a different angle on what I said but this angle does not appear in any of the other reports in newspapers or on radio and television. The position underlying our approach is that neutrality was not an issue when Ireland joined the EC and has not been since. When we joined we accepted certain conditions and now accept what has already been agreed between the Community, including a commitment to progress towards European union. In so far as any issue with regard to neutrality may arise at some future date, that is something to be discussed at that time. When we lodged our application of the Single European Act in 1987 the Government made a declaration of Irish neutrality saying that the Government of Ireland noted that the provisions of Title III did not affect Ireland's long-established policy of military neutrality and that coordination of positions on the political and economic aspects of security did not include the military aspects of security or procurement for military purposes and did not affect Ireland's right to act or refrain from acting in any way which might affect Ireland's international status of military neutrality.
Austria explicity raised the question of its neutrality in a letter applying for membership. That is a matter that will be discussed in due course. Austria is a democracy with a good human rights record and is eminently qualified for EC membership. The application will have to follow normal procedures which will no doubt give rise to an in-depth examination by EC institutions. It would not be proper for us to comment in advance of the normal procedures which involve referral to the Commission and the opinion of the European Parliament. That is our position.
Are you saying anything to that?
I want to give you time to ask a question.
I have no right to ask a question on priority time.