asked the Taoiseach the up-to-date position regarding Ireland's application for membership of the EEC.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
1.
asked the Taoiseach whether he will make a statement about Ireland's proposed entry to the EEC.
3.
asked the Taoiseach if there have been any developments concerning the application of this country to adhere to the EEC; and if he will state the present position on the matter.
4.
asked the Taoiseach whether there is any new initiative in the Government policy towards entry to the EEC which would align this country more closely with other European neutrals who have expressed an interest in some form of association with the EEC countries; and whether discussions with such interested counttries are contemplated in the near future.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4 together.
The position still is that our application for membership, along with those of the other applicants, remains on the agenda of the Council of the European Economic Community, but agreement has, so far, not been reached by the member countries on the opening of negotiations.
It is yet too soon to say what effect the advent of the new administration in France is likely to have on that country's attitude to enlargement of the Communities. Another factor with a possible bearing on the situation is that a general election is due to be held in Germany later this year.
As regards Question No. 4, I must reiterate that our objective is full membership of the European Communities, not merely some form of association.
Our missions in the Community and in the applicant countries will continue to maintain the closest contact with developments. The Minister for External Affairs proposes to visit the commission in Brussels and some of the European Governments at the earliest opportunity. This will be followed by further ministerial visits to Europe later in the year.
Is the Taoiseach aware of the current thinking which is that Britain will be accepted prior to the entry of other countries associated with Britain? In view of the repercussions of the acceptance of Britain as a member prior to membership of other countries, including ourselves, would it not be in our best interests to consult with other countries with whom we have a great deal in common particularly in view of our policy on neutrality? Does he not think it would be wise on our part to consult with other countries in a similar situation before the inevitable takes place and Britain, according to current thinking, is accepted as a member on her own?
May I ask the Taoiseach what assurances, if any, he has sought and secured from the member countries of the EEC that Britain will not, in fact, be admitted to membership prior to Ireland?
I am not accepting at all the suggestion that Britain may be accepted prior to the other applicant countries is a likely eventuality. As far as the suggestion goes that we should seek some kind of arrangement with so-called neutral countries, I do not think that is necessary because a form of association, as has been suggested in the past, did not in any way obviate the political obligations of membership of the Community. Association is seen only as a temporary device to overcome temporary economic difficulties of applicant countries. In reply to Deputy FitzGerald's question, we have not sought any assurances as such, but we have taken positive steps to ensure that our negotiations are contemporaneous with those of Britain and that our ultimate acceptance as a member will be a fact.
Can the Taoiseach say whether there have been any recent discussions with the British Government to discover whether they want to go it alone?
There have not been discussions as such, but we have made it clear to the British Government that we regard our accession contemporaneously with that of Britain as being necessary in their interests as well as in our own.
Is there any indication from the commission as to whether or not the commission propose to consider applications separately or together?
There is no such indication.
Is the Taoiseach telling the House that he discounts the possibility of Britain's entry into the Community alone and outside the entry of this country? Is the Taoiseach telling us authoritatively that he discounts this possibility?
Since politics is the art of the possible, I take it that international politics is also.
In view of the fact that we have the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement which has an effect on trade between this country and Great Britain, does the Taoiseach not think that he should take immediate steps now to discover what is in the mind of the British Government with regard to entry to the EEC?
That is being done.
How and when?
Through the ordinary channels of communication.
This is too serious for the ordinary channels.
The Deputy must recognise the Government is in power only a couple of days.
The Taoiseach used the word "so-called" neutrals. Does this imply that in his view neutrality is no longer a relevant concept for a country like ours?
I used the term "so-called" in its literal sense. There are countries that call themselves neutral but our neutrality is not of the same nature as theirs.