asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total number of persons (if any) who, it is estimated, might become unemployed if this country decided to become a member of (a) the European Economic Community, or (b) the proposed Free Trade Area.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of Free Trade Area and Unemployment
It is not possible at this stage to give any reliable estimate of the effect on employment in this country of a decision to join the Free Trade Area.
Proposals for the establishment of a Free Trade Area are at present being considered in Paris by Working Parties of O.E.E.C. To one of the Working Parties has been entrusted the task of examining the possibility that, on the establishment of a Free Trade Area, special treatment might be accorded to countries which are still in the process of economic development. Until the nature and extent of the special treatment which may be given becomes known the implications so far as employment is concerned cannot usefully be assessed.
No consideration has been given to the question of joining the proposed European Economic Community.