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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 May 1961

Vol. 189 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Representative to European Economic Community.

1.

asked the Taoiseach if he will consider the advisability of appointing a direct representative to the European Economic Community in view of the fact that this economic bloc is itself to have a direct representative to O.E.C.D. as well as national representatives from each country.

The Deputy will be aware that in 1959 the Government decided to establish formal diplomatic relations with the European Economic Community and appointed our Ambassador to Belgium as representative to the Community. This arrangement is working satisfactorily.

Would the Taoiseach not agree that, in the light of recent happenings in Europe, it would be desirable to have a separate representative appointed solely for the purpose of dealing with the Economic Community? Would he not further agree that it imposes a somewhat heavy burden on the existing representative inasmuch as he is already the representative to the Belgian Government and has only one other person in the office with him?

No. The arrangement we have is similar to that of a number of other countries. Up to the present, it has worked satisfactorily. It may be that the time will come when a separate representative to the Community will be required, but I do not think that time has come yet.

In the light of the speech which the Minister for Finance saw fit to make at a Fianna Fáil meeting last night, which is widely interpreted as meaning that the Government is preparing the country for an announcement that we are to enter the Common Market, surely it is desirable we should have a reassurance that some direct contact will be made with that institution other than the contact that exists through our correspondence with the British Government, before a final decision is taken as to whether or not we should enter? Has the Taoiseach any discussions proceeding with the Common Market entity as to the terms on which this country might join, analogous to those arranged with Greece, and other countries, which are in negotiation?

We have an accredited representative to the Community. That is, I think, the only relevant supplementary that arises out of Deputy Esmonde's question.

I want to ask——

I do not think the other questions are relevant to Deputy Esmonde's question, and I do not think I should be expected to reply to them without notice.

If the Taoiseach says he is not prepared to reply to a question arising directly out of a statement made by the Minister for Finance at a public meeting last night——

I think the Deputy should adopt the ordinary procedure of putting down the question he wants answered.

That I would very gladly do if the Minister for Finance adopted the ordinary procedure of making such communications to Dáil Éireann instead of to a Fianna Fáil Cumann in Dublin.

Nonsense. He said nothing new.

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