asked the Taoiseach if, in view of the political and economic implications for this country of EEC membership, the Government will publish a White Paper setting out in detail all aspects of the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
1.
It is my intention to keep the House and the country as fully informed as possible on the Common Market and its implications for Ireland. As the Deputy is aware, the Government have recently issued a White Paper describing developments in the European Communities to date. Further information will be made available by way of Government statements or will be published in White Papers. Deputies will, however, appreciate that the extent to which details of the implications for Ireland of EEC membership can be published must be governed by the necessity of not prejudicing our negotiating position. Moreover, the implications cannot be precisely assessed in advance of settlement of the terms of entry.
While I appreciate what the Taoiseach said about details of the negotiations not being settled in advance, I take it he will agree, in view of the fact that something like five years have elapsed since the application was last made on behalf of this country, that the Dáil should have a full debate on the possible implications of membership before the application is formally made?
I hope to be in touch with Deputy Cosgrave and Deputy Corish in the near future about a full debate.
Will the Taoiseach also give consideration to the Private Members' Motion standing in my name on this subject?
In the event of our arranging for a debate, it is possible that the Whips could arrange that the motion be taken in conjunction with whatever motion will be introduced in the debate.
Would the Taoiseach say if he intends to visit the existing member countries before the application on behalf of this country is resubmitted?
The re-activation of our application will depend on when the British will make their application. As Deputies are aware, that will be decided tonight. I said last week it was my intention that our application should be re-activated as soon as possible after the British. I do not think that the lapse of time would permit me to visit the capitals of the Six before the application would have been re-activated.
I take it the Dáil debate will precede the renewal of our application?
That could hardly be possible, I think, in the circumstances.
Could the Taoiseach be any more specific in regard to the time of this debate?
I propose to have it arranged during the course of the present session. As the House is aware, even though our re-activation would be started soon, it would be some time before the Governments of the Six would decide in principle whether to open negotiations with us, or indeed with Britain. Therefore, I anticipate some weeks will elapse before that decision in principle will have been taken by the Governments.
Does it not seem important that the Dáil and the country should be fully informed on all aspects before the application is renewed and that therefore, in view of the inevitable lapse of time before the application will be actually discussed in Brussels, there is a very strong case for having a debate here in advance of the discussions in Brussels?
As I said before, I regard the situation as being that we have a mandate from the Dáil to proceed with the application that has already been made. It will be my intention to move from where consideration of our application was left off in 1962. That was the point of decision by the Council—the Government members of the Six—to fix a date for the opening of negotiations with us. I think there will be plenty of time, assuming our application is made soon, to have a full debate before the decision in principle will have been reached by the Governments of the Six to resume negotiations.
When the Taoiseach talks about negotiations with regard to our application, will he tell the Dáil whether or not the negotiations on our application will coincide with those of the British or will they come after the disposal of the British application?
I would hope that our discussions would be concurrent with those of Britain, as far as possible, and certainly that our ultimate admission would coincide with that of Britain.
When the Taoiseach says "concurrent", does he mean that the negotiations will be separate or will go together?
They must be separate.
The fact that the previous discussions took place five years ago in different circumstances surely warrants a separate debate now? Because of the fresh approach, or, to use even the somewhat inelegant description, re-activation of our application, does it not seem appropriate that we should have a discussion in the light of present-day circumstances rather than base our application on the previous consideration?
Our application is there. It never has been withdrawn. That is the situation.
Does the Taoiseach advert to the problem that arises consequent on a publicised discussion in the British House of Commons which created the impression in the minds of many people in this country that the reaction of entry into the EEC would be to have an identical effect on the cost of living in the Republic of Ireland as that calculated to be likely in Great Britain, that this is a highly illusory belief, and that without either some authoritative publication by the Government or a debate here such illusions are liable to become fixed in the minds of our people?
I think there cannot be any illusion in the minds of the people, having regard to what I said in reply to questions put to me in the course of a press conference last week. I freely admitted that I anticipated there would be some percentage increase in the cost of living index figures as far as food is concerned. It might not be as high as that in Britain because of the deficiency payments system the British have in relation to agricultural produce. Whatever increase there will be will, of course, be over a period, having regard to the transition arrangements that we can negotiate with the Six.
May we take it from what the Taoiseach had to say in the course of his press conference last week that, as he sees the situation, we will have to abandon our traditional neutral position as far as military alliances are concerned?
I think that is enlarging the realm of the debate. That discussion is likely to take place elsewhere.
The Taoiseach has mentioned that it is hoped to have this matter discussed in the Dáil this session. Does he not think there is great urgency about it and that it should in fact be discussed next week at the latest?
As I said already, the Common Market is at the moment an instrument for economic unity leading to political unity. We have at no time made any reservations about assuming the full obligations of the Common Market if we are admitted as full members. Therefore, we have to accept whatever political unity that would involve for us, the same as France, Germany, Italy, Britain or any of the other countries.
Can the Taoiseach say if he intends to publish a White Paper before the debate giving further information?
I shall endeavour to have that done but I could not promise.
Will the Taoiseach tell the Dáil there is no question of military alliances in the Treaty of Rome?
No.
But that is the ultimate objective.
2.
asked the Taoiseach if any arrangements have been made with the British Government regarding rights of access for Irish agricultural products to the UK market under the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement, in the event of Ireland being granted only associate membership of the European Economic Community and of Great Britain achieving full membership.
As there is no reason to expect that the eventuality envisaged by the Deputy will arise the answer to his question is in the negative.
Does the Taoiseach not visualise the situation where the British might get in and we would be refused? Has he any reason to believe that if Britain is admitted, we will be automatically admitted?
There is no question of being automatically admitted. But having regard to the contacts already made and the manner in which our original application was received, I have every confidence our application will be accepted after due negotiation.
Suppose we are not admitted? Do the Taoiseach and the Government not contemplate negotiations for association with the EEC?
That is an eventuality which I said I do not expect will emerge and one I would not like to contemplate.
The British thought they were going to get in a few years ago until General de Gaulle said no.
That was in and out.
We are trotting in behind the Union Jack, the seagreen Republicans. Soldiers of the Legion of the Rearguard, how are you!
(Interruptions.)