asked the Taoiseach if, as the further discussions for an attempt to reach agreement between the European Economic Community and the European Free Trade Area towards a free trade area in Europe will take place within the framework of G.A.T.T. in the first part of its session, Ireland will be represented at such discussions; if so, by whom; and if Ireland will not be directly represented, if he will have an observer present to keep this country privy to any negotiations that take place.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Trade Discussions.
1.
I assume the Deputy has in mind the G.A.T.T. Tariff Conference which opened in Geneva on the 1st September last. This Conference will be held in two phases.
The first phase, which is expected to last until Christmas, is primarily concerned with re-negotiations between the Six Member States of the European Economic Community and the other members of the G.A.T.T. due to the fact that, in moving to the common external tariff of the Community, some of its members will have to increase duties which individually they had bound in earlier G.A.T.T. tariff negotiations.
The second phase of the Conference, which will take place in the opening months of 1961, will be largely concerned with negotiations between the Contracting Parties to the G.A.T.T. for new tariff concessions, including negotiations with the European Economic Community for reductions in its common external customs tariff. At the same time countries which intend to accede to the G.A.T.T. will have the opportunity of conducting the tariff negotiations which are a necessary preliminary to accession.
As Ireland is not a Contracting Party to the G.A.T.T., we have not so far been taking part in the present Tariff Conference. However, as the Deputy will be aware from the official announcement issued at the beginning of September, the Government have decided to investigate the question of Ireland's accession to the G.A.T.T. and discussions to this end have been proceeding with the Contracting Parties.
I am not aware that it is proposed to try to reach agreement between the European Economic Community and the European Free Trade Area within the framework of the G.A.T.T. Indeed, I am afraid that I can see no immediate prospect of fruitful discussions of the kind indicated in the Deputy's Question, either within or outside the framework of the G.A.T.T., although the matter does appear to fall within the scope of the Committee on Trade Problems established last January, on which Ireland is represented. This Committee, which met in March and June last, set up in June a Study Group to examine, among other questions, the ways in which reciprocal tariff concessions between the E.E.C., E.F.T.A., and the other members of the Committee could be achieved and has directed the Study Group to organise its work having in mind negotiations within the framework of the G.A.T.T. Tariff Conference. If the work of the Study Group results in negotiations within the G.A.T.T. in which this country would be directly interested, the Government will seek to ensure that Ireland will be represented at such negotiations.
I take it we are not going to be represented at all at this Conference, either as observers or by direct representation?
That is not what I have said. The Deputy appears to be under the impression that negotiations are proceeding in the G.A.T.T. between the Six and the Seven. That is not right.
The most favoured nation clause, upon which we rely to keep our tariffs vis á vis other countries, does not apply in the case of the Economic Community. For that reason there are bound to be negotiations when an extra tariff is imposed. Surely the Taoiseach considers it necessary that we should have some direct representation so that we will know what is going on? We are at least entitled to that.
I have not said we are not represented.
The Taoiseach has not said we are represented.
I have said we have a delegation there at present to continue discussions preliminary to the consideration of our own decision whether we will join or not.
I do not think the Taoiseach has quite got what I said. Have we anyone there who is privy to the negotiations or are we only outside the door trying to get in?
We are not in now.
Have we anyone at the Conference?
Yes.
Perhaps the Taoiseach would repeat the answer so that we could understand it?