asked the Minister for External Affairs if in view of the statement of the Taoiseach in a reply of 14th February 1962 that membership of the European Economic Community will effect a change in the position of this country in the United Nations, he will state in what respects policy will change; and what will cause this change.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - U.N.O.: Irish Policy Change.
40.
I would point out that the Taoiseach did not say, as the Deputy states in his question, that membership of the European Economic Community "will effect a change in the position of this country in the United Nations". What the Taoiseach said was that "it might be affected in some degree" following our membership of the E.E.C. but that our general support for the aims of the United Nations, and our attitude in the main issues that arise within the United Nations would not be changed.
I may add that there are no grounds for assuming that the policy of the European Economic Community will conflict in any way with the principles of the United Nations Charter or the Declaration of Human Rights.
I imagine we would all have assumed that the aims and objects of the European Economic Community would not conflict with the aims and objects of the Charter of the United Nations. What I am concerned with, and what I think the House is concerned with, too, is to know what changes, if any—and it has been indicated that certain changes are likely—will emerge as a result of our joining the European Economic Community in our rôle in the United Nations?
The Taoiseach did not say there would be a change. He said "it might be affected".
Does the Minister say there will or will not be a change?