asked the President if and when the annual trade agreement with Britain comes up for renewal he will arrange to have the negotiations carried out by one or more of his Ministers so as to ensure that the greatest possible benefits will be secured for this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trade Agreement with Britain.
The question whether trade negotiations with other countries should be carried out by Ministers or by civil servants acting on behalf of the Government is for determination according to the circumstances of each case. The Government is always willing to arrange for the conducting of such negotiations by a Minister, or Ministers, provided that there is reason to believe that that course will lead to more satisfactory results than would otherwise be achieved. When negotiations are conducted by civil servants, the officers taking part act on behalf of the Government and are given full instructions as to the Government's wishes and intentions, which instructions, of course, they are careful to observe. Moreover, provision is made for consultation with Ministers, at any stage, during the course of the negotiations at which consultation is considered necessary or desirable.
Does the President not think that a heavy responsibility to place on the shoulders of civil servants — particularly in connection with an agreement which may have such farreaching effects as this one?
If the Deputy had attended to the latter part of my statement, I think he would have realised that Ministers are constantly in touch, and that whether Ministers or civil servants are in negotiation depends on the circumstances.
But is there really any definite objection to sending Ministers there?
There is no definite objection, but there are two parties to negotiations.