asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the total number of civil servants from his Department engaged in EEC negotiations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers (Resumed). - Membership of EEC.
37.
As indicated in reply to a question on 24th February, the number of officers of my Department who are engaged full-time on work directly connected with the EEC negotiations is 11, other officers being involved from time to time when matters affecting their particular work arise. Since the opening of the negotiations 28 officers of my Department have, in fact, participated in meetings with the Community in connection with the negotiations.
Can the Minister state how the Government think this matter can be dealt with in an equitable way when all the resources of the State are put behind the issue of selling this country out to Europe? There are 11 full-time members in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries who are connected directly with the EEC negotiations. All the people who are opposed to our entry into Europe could not employ one person. Is this regarded as democracy in this country——
I would remind the Deputy that we cannot discuss the entire operations of the EEC on this question.
I will ask the Minister a simple question. Does he think that the benefits to be obtained by entry into Europe will justify the employment of 11 persons in his Department on a full-time basis?
It is essential that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries are fully informed of all the developments in this matter.
Does it require 11 people to keep the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries fully informed regarding developments in the EEC? Can the Minister state how any Member of this House is supposed to keep himself fully informed?
Can the Minister state if any of the civil servants referred to accompany the Minister for Foreign Affairs to countries such as Norway where the Minister might have discussions on agricultural matters? Are agricultural matters that may be discussed during the course of these visits dealt with solely by officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs?
This is a different matter. The officials the Deputy is referring to now mainly deal with matters at official level rather than at ministerial level.
What is the distinction?
I am calling Question No. 38. We cannot deal with this matter all the afternoon.
Having regard to the march in Brussels a few days ago, does the Minister believe that our farmers will benefit by entry into the EEC?
Yes, I do.
Can the Minister state the distinction between matters dealt with at official level and matters dealt with at ministerial level?
There are day-to-day matters that cause officials from my Department, as well as officials in other Departments, to inform themselves on specific matters. They deal with these matters at official level. In this way we keep ourselves informed of the most recent developments in Brussels.
I am calling Question No. 38.
A great deal of money is being spent to sell us out.
It is vital that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries keep themselves fully informed of all the developments——
The Minister is only talking about his own Department. There are many other Departments——
I am responsible only for my own Department.
It is important that the Irish case be explained to the EEC. Unless we send to Brussels people who are qualified to explain our case, how can this be done? I cannot understand the objections that are being made.
It is well known that the two big parties in this House are in favour of selling us out completely.
How can we protect our interests unless we send qualified people to explain our case?
I have already called Question No. 38 many times. We cannot discuss Question No. 37 for the entire afternoon.