asked the Minister for External Affairs what effect the recent new agreements between member nations of the EEC on economic and financial matters will have on this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
11.
I assume the question refers to the resolution on the phased achievement of economic and monetary union in the EEC over a period of ten years and two decisions on the strengthening of the co-ordination of short-term economic policies and collaboration between central banks which were adopted by the Council of the Community on 8/9 February, 1971. The text of the resolution containing a programme of action for the first three-year phase has been published but the texts of the two decisions have not yet become available. A full assessment of the implications for this country must await a detailed study of the texts in question.
Does the Minister accept that the obligation which the Six member nations of EEC have now imposed on themselves to consult with one another in economic and monetary matters would be regarded by them as extending at this stage to the applicant countries, which, to that extent, limits the freedom of economic and monetary operations which we would otherwise have?
If the Deputy means any decisions taken by the Community prior to membership of the applicant countries the Six would expect that the applicant countries would accept these decisions that are made, but no decisions of the Community would apply in the applicant countries before they become members. It is a matter for negotiation how to phase into a position which will be achieved by the Community by the time membership becomes a question for us.
I was particularly following another point. Have the Community given any indication to the applicants that the discipline they are now imposing on themselves, admittedly in a voluntary manner, will also apply to them and that it will, therefore, be necessary or desirable for the applicant states to consult with the Community before making any substantial changes in their own economic and monetary systems?
We ought to have publication of the decisions in the matter within a few days. We will know then more precisely what is in them. Until then I do not think we could make a full assessment.
If the existing EEC countries take a binding decision without any prior consultation with the applicant countries, would the applicant countries not be bound by that decision?
This appears to be the question which Deputy Ryan did not ask but which I did answer. It is one of the conditions for application for membership—the acceptance of decisions of the Community as it exists.