asked the Taoiseach if he has any information on the recent statement by the British Foreign Secretary concerning British entry to the EEC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
1.
The full text of the British Foreign Secretary's statement of 4th July at the meeting in The Hague of the Western European Union on the subject of the European Economic Community has been made available to Deputies.
Paragraph 23 of the statement, in so far as it could be construed as implying that Ireland's entry into the Common Market might not be simultaneous with that of Britain, has caused me some concern and I have sought clarification of the paragraph. As the House is aware, our aim is simultaneous entry with Britain and there has been no suggestion from any of the Governments of the Six that this would not be so.
Can the Taoiseach say was there ever any suggestion from the British Government that they contemplated British entry in advance of other applicants?
On the contrary, they indicated to me that they appreciated fully our desire for simultaneous entry.
Does this, then, mark a change of policy on the part of the British Government?
I do not think I could accept that. I should not like to construe the statement of the Foreign Secretary in advance of getting the clarification I have sought but I have my own views on the statement and I do not accept it at all as implying a change of policy.
May I take it that we shall make representations, this being taken as a change of policy, to the effect that we do not regard it as in our interests to have British entry accepted in advance of ours?
Indeed we will, and most vigorously.
Apart from the fact that the British Government now seem to regard our application as inferior to their own, is the Taoiseach not impressed by a statement by Mr. Brown on the safeguards the British will need and in respect of which we have made no public statements?
The safeguards Britain requires in relation to her application are not identical with our interests.
That may be so but the Taoiseach or any member of the Government has not mentioned these safeguards in public.
Does the Taoiseach consider, in view of this statement and other references, that the Dáil ought to discuss as a matter of urgency this country's application to join the EEC?
It is as much in the hands of the Opposition.
We would much prefer to have redundancy discussed.
Rather than the Marts Bill.
Perhaps the Taoiseach might confirm today, to put an end to this, whether there is any suggestion by the British that they would support associate membership merely for this country?
I did not catch the first part of the Deputy's supplementary.
Was there any suggestion from the British contrary to the accepted view that British and Irish membership would be coincidental?
There has not been the slightest suggestion.
Was that always the understanding between the British and Irish Governments?
Negotiations would go step by step as far as that is possible so that our entry would be simultaneous or at least as simultaneous as possible.
The graver aspects of this now having been overcome, may I as a backbencher express my appreciation of the Taoiseach's courtesy in having the transcript of the statement made available to Deputies?