asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if any section of his Department is engaged in the preparation of contingency plans in anticipation of the possibility that neither the United Kingdom nor Ireland is successful in obtaining membership of the EEC as a result of the present negotiations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
42.
I presume that, in reference to my Department, what the Deputy has in mind are the implications for manufacturing industries of the contingency he mentions. I have, of course, no reason to assume that our application for membership of the European Communities will not be successful. In relation to the contingency mentioned by the Deputy, I would point out that the adaptation of industries to free trade conditions, and the expansion and broadening of our industrial base, will continue to be the principal objectives of our industrial policy, irrespective of whether or not we become a member of the European Communities.
Has the Minister seen the vast disparity which exists between the British proposals for their financial contribution to the Community and what is asked of them? Has he seen attacks on the British application by such different politicians as Mr. Harold Wilson and Mr. Enoch Powell? Does he not, therefore, admit that the contingency to which he refers is, in fact, one which could possibly happen and should not somebody be specifically studying it in isolation?
I do not think it would be appropriate that that contingency should be studied in isolation. From the industrial point of view our aim is to continue at the fastest rate possible to prepare ourselves for free trade conditions. One way or the other, it would be to our advantage.
Does the Minister never read the daily papers?
That is a separate question.