European Free Trade Association

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2016

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

Questions (56)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

56. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the focus that has been placed on the role of the European Free Trade Association, EFTA, given the results of the United Kingdom referendum on European Union membership; if he considered how the democratic credentials of the EFTA might be strengthened to ease the transition process of the United Kingdom as an European Union partner to another position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19459/16]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is an intergovernmental organisation set up for the promotion of free trade and economic integration to the benefit of its four Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The European Economic Area Agreement enables three of the four EFTA Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) to participate in the EU’s Internal Market.

EFTA was founded by Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Finland joined in 1961, Iceland in 1970 and Liechtenstein in 1991. In 1973, the United Kingdom and Denmark left EFTA to join the European Economic Community. They were followed by Portugal in 1986 and by Austria, Finland and Sweden in 1995. Ireland was never a member of EFTA.

It is a matter for EFTA and its four members to decide how the organisation, including its membership, may evolve.