asked the Taoiseach if negotiations have been resumed with other applicant countries regarding Ireland's entry to the EEC; and if negotiations will be conducted in conjunction with other countries or separately.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
1.
No decision has yet been reached by the Council of Ministers of the European Communities on the question of the opening of negotiations with Ireland and the other applicant countries.
Could the Taoiseach indicate if it is necessary for the Council to say to Ireland: "we will open negotiations" or can we not seek negotiations now when the situation seems slightly more favourable than heretofore?
Our application is still before the Council of Ministers and there is no question of looking for a reopening of negotiations. Our application is there.
I appreciate what the Taoiseach says but surely it is a question of Ireland taking the initiative to open negotiations? There is no use sitting down doing nothing. The matter has been going on now for years.
There is no question of sitting down doing nothing. It is easy for the Deputy to come in here and make noises about doing something. We are doing something. We are keeping in touch with the Community and the other applicant countries and as soon as the opportunity is appropriate we could put on whatever extra pressure is necessary, but it is just not appropriate at the moment.
I do not want to press the Taoiseach but——
Has the Taoiseach noted the disagreement of his Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries with the agriculture policy of the EEC? Would this have any bearing on our eventual entry? He will have noted that the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries left the subject of Partition last week and is now concentrating on the Mansholt agricultural policy?
That is not the agricultural policy of the EEC. It is what is known as the Mansholt Plan and the Deputy also knows that that has not been adopted here or by the Council.
It is more than merely the plan of an individual, it is the overall agreement on agriculture in the EEC.
It is not, and the Deputy knows that well.
It is the Cosgrave plan.