asked the Taoiseach what were the irreconcilables to which he referred which would prevent the making of an interim arrangement with the EEC.
5.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
4.
asked the Taoiseach if any decision has yet been taken in regard to seeking an interim trade agreement in the EEC pending further development of Ireland's application for full membership of that organisation.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.
As I stated in the House on 31st January, the explorations we have made indicate that there would be difficulties in the way of an interim arrangement with the European Economic Community independently of other applicants for membership, and of Britain in particular.
These difficulties include:
(1) the question of the compatibility with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade of an interim arrangement with the European Economic Community which would take account of our existing trading arrangements with Britain, and
(2) the difficulty of securing worthwhile concessions in the agricultural field because of the operation of the Community's common agricultural policy.
Deputies will be aware that it has been reported that, as a result of the meeting in Paris last week between the French President and the German Chancellor, the Foreign Ministers of the Six are to meet on 29th of the present month to discuss, inter alia, the possibility of arrangements between the Community and the applicant countries designed to develop commercial exchanges between them. Further developments will depend on the outcome of this meeting and the attitude of the other applicants thereto.
Am I to take it from the Taoiseach's reply that there is to be no interim trade agreement or no attempt to get an interim trade agreement with the EEC unless it is in conjunction with the other applicant countries?
I think that it is the impression now that such an interim arrangement would have to apply to the four applicant countries. There is no certainty about that. That is the impression we have got.
Will the Taoiseach not agree that it is possible, if the Irish Government so desire, to make an interim trade agreement with the EEC and would he not consider doing so?
We could do that of course and shut ourselves out of the British market if we liked.
Did the Taoiseach discuss with the British Prime Minister the possibility of Britain accommodating such an arrangement, a separate agreement with the EEC?
Yes, we have discussed that.
What was the outcome?
It was agreed that there were certain difficulties in the way because of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement and because of our membership of GATT as well.
He told you "No".
I did not ask him for his permission.
Would the Taoiseach raise with the British Premier the possibility of such adjustment of the Free Trade Area Agreement to accommodate a separate interim agreement with the EEC?
That would take months of negotiation. There would be no point in discussing it at a meeting lasting a couple of hours.
Is it the intention to pursue this possibility?
I told the House this week and last week that, as far as I can understand, the possibility of an interim arrangement will have to provide for all four. We cannot make an interim arrangement with the Community unless they wish to do so with us. We understand it would not be possible for a single applicant country to make such an arrangement at present.
Is what the Taoiseach has just said not tantamount to saying that we are tied hand and foot to the British economy and are not able to make an agreement at present without the consent of the British Prime Minister?
That is a separate question.
I admit readily that we could throw overboard the British market for industrial goods and agriculture, if we liked, and then seek membership of the EEC.
(Interruptions.)