asked the Taoiseach when a decision on Ireland's application to join the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs is expected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of GATT.
6.
The Deputy is already aware that, at the suggestion of the Irish Government, consideration of our application for membership of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade was deferred pending the outcome of the negotiations on our appllication for membership of the European Economic Community. The question of our proceeding with the application is under consideration.
Might I ask in that connection if the Taoiseach wishes it understood that our application for membership of GATT marches with our application for membership of the EEC, or may a situation arise in which we might elect to press our application with GATT, even though our application with the EEC is laid aside?
Certainly.
Have we made an application to join EFTA or are we doing anything about it?
No.
I am prompted to ask that question because the Minister for Industry and Commerce was so coy about it in his statement this morning. Is the Taoiseach certain that there are no negotiations going on in this matter?
Yes.