Vol. 431 No. 3
1 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his visit to Austria and his discussions with Chancellor Vranitzky; if the matter of the Austrian application for EC membership was discussed; if he agreed to support the early accession of Austria to the Community; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In response to an invitation from the Federal Chancellor, Dr. Franz Vranitzky, I paid an official visit to the Austrian capital, Vienna, on Thursday, 13 May 1993.
My programme included a private meeting with the Chancellor; a plenary meeting for official discussions between the Irish and Austrian delegations; a visit to Vienna City Hall, where I was received by the Mayor and Governor, Dr. Helmut Zilk; a visit to the Austrian Parliament where I was received by Dr. Robert Lichal, the second President of the Nationalrat (Lower House) and had discussions with a representative cross-party group of parliamentarians; and attendance at a reception for the Irish community in Austria hosted by our Ambassador. I also met, in the course of the day, the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Erhard Busek, the Minister for Finance, Dr. Ferdinand Lacina, and the President of the Bundesrat, the Upper House of Parliament, Dr. Erik Holzinger.
The visit was the first official visit to Austria by an Irish Head of Government. I am happy to take this opportunity to say how much I appreciated the warmth of the reception by Chancellor Vranitzky and by all I met in Vienna.
The discussions covered the continuing negotiations on Austria's application to join the European Union; the prospects for ratification of the Treaty on European Union; the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations; action to stimulate the European and international economies; the situation in Bosnia-Hercegovina, in the former Yugoslavia and in the Balkans generally; the summit meeting of the Council of Europe in Vienna on 8-9 October next; the position of Vienna as a European centre of United Nations activities; Northern Ireland; and cultural links between Ireland and Austria.
In the course of the discussions in Vienna and in my public remarks at the luncheon, I recalled that successive Irish Governments have wholeheartedly supported the accession of Austria and believe strongly that an enlarged Community containing Austria is a prospect which carries obvious benefits not only for Austria but also for the present member states. I said that in Ireland we look forward to having Austria as a partner, noted that we share many values in common and have a similar outlook on a range of international issues and affirmed that we value the prospect of working much more closely with Austria in the years ahead. I have had the text of my remarks at the luncheon placed in the library.
In regard to the current accession negotiations and to future co-operation within the European Union, the Chancellor and I agreed that there should be follow-up inter-departmental contacts between our administrations, similar to official level discussions that have already taken place with Sweden and Finland earlier this year and recent ministerial discussions with Norway.
On the issue of cultural links between Ireland and Austria, I indicated my support for a proposal of the recently appointed Austrian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Michael Breisky, for an exhibition to celebrate the role of the Irish Wild Geese in the Austrian Empire.
Clearly the Taoiseach had a very busy day.
The Deputy can say that again though I might add that for me every day is busy.
Did the Taoiseach discuss the effects that Austrian membership of the European Community would have on agricultural supports? I assume that Austria will have some claim on such supports when they join. In relation to neutrality, what indication did the Taoiseach receive from Austria with regard to their attitude to the developing common security policy in Europe? Did they feel that that would impinge on their form of neutrality? Will the Taoiseach indicate what kind of co-operation he foresees Irish business and Austrian business undertaking in Eastern Europe, which I understand was also referred to?
I will take the questions in the reverse order. In relation to the possibilities for joint ventures between Austrian and Irish companies, it is true that Austria will have a better knowledge on the ground and Ireland would be ideal partners with them for a whole range of opportunities in central and eastern European countries in relation to training, technical assistance and so on. On the common security policy and the Austrian policy of neutrality, like the other EFTA countries Austria has declared that it can accept the Maastricht Treaty including the provision on a common foreign and security policy. Like Ireland they recognise the dynamic character of the common foreign and security policy. They are aware that the treaty involves a commitment to the eventual development of a common defence policy but that this issue does not arise until the inter-Governmental conference of 1996.
I am sure the Taoiseach is aware that there are approximately 100,000 Bosnian refugees living in Austria. Did the Taoiseach get any view from the Chancellor as to the likelihood of circumstances arising in which these people might be able to return home as they wish? Was any positive line of action agreed between the Taoiseach and the Chancellor on that matter? Was there any support from the Austrian Chancellor for the proposal by the French Prime Minister for an all-European Conference on security? What was the content of the discussion the Taoiseach had with regard to the Council of Europe Summit in October? What does the Taoiseach and the Chancellor expect to emerge from that?
The next question deals with that aspect.
I will not speculate on what may come out of the Council of Europe in October. It is an opportunity for a Summit for all the member states who are members of the Council of Europe. We will be represented at the summit.
In relation to the Bosnian refugees, the Chancellor confirmed that the refugees in Austria intend to return to their homeland at the earliest possible opportunity. Like everybody else, he is concerned at the lack of progress in reaching a settlement. They have their own views on what this might entail, for example, safe areas or havens. This is in line with our own view. Deputy De Rossa asked what is their view on the Common Agricultural Policy and other matters. All the applicant countries, including Austria, will be net contributors. This should be welcomed by us, given that we are net beneficiaries.
While I take the Taoiseach's point that all of the applicant countries, including Austria, would be net contributors, the Common Agricultural Policy budget is not to be increased. Indeed, attempts are to be made to transfer some of this funding to other areas. In view of this, does the Taoiseach not see that there will be pressure on Common Agricultural Policy funding when Austria joins the Community, given that it will have some claim on this fund?
When Austria becomes a full member, like every other member, it will benefit under the various policies. I strees to the Deputy and to the House that our position has always been that there must be increased resources following enlargement.
