asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs what effect the signing of a Commercial Treaty covering beef and veal between the EEC and Argentina and other Latin American countries will have on the supply of those products to the EEC by Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the effects such treaties will have on beef production and supply in the EEC in the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
11.
The trade agreement between the Argentine and the EEC provides, inter alia, that the Community shall endeavour to suspend levies or fix reduced levies on imports from the Argentine of certain categories of frozen beef, including frozen beef for processing, limited quantities of which are admitted into the Community from non-member countries. The agreement contains a safeguard clause which empowers the Community to suspend, after consultation with the Argentine, this concession in the event of disturbance or risk of disturbance in the Community beef market resulting therefrom. As a member of the enlarged Community our position would, of course, be safeguarded not only by this provision but by the relevant provisions in the Treaty of Accession which are intended to ensure preferential treatment for agricultural products originating within the enlarged Community.
Did I understand correctly that there is a limitation on the quantities involved?
There is a limitation on the quantities to the extent that any disturbance of the Communities' beef trade, or any risk or threat of such a disturbance, would immediately suspend——
There is no limitation on the quantities as of now?
It is limited according to that——
If a complaint is made?
It is not a complaint. It is any threat of a disturbance. This has to do with frozen beef. The original question was what effect it will have on us and the answer is, none. Our exports of beef are mainly fresh beef and chilled beef. What we export as frozen beef is mainly boxed, boneless cow beef to the US. If in time we found the European market more profitable than the US market, our access there would be protected by the provisions of the Treaty of Accession as well as this Argentine agreement.
Can the Minister say whether in addition to the levy there is a tariff on beef going into the EEC and, if so, is the tariff also remitted?
Deputies should put down questions to other Ministers about the details of the different Departments now that the negotiations are over.
12.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have the right to ask for consultations on any new Community legislation before it is finalised by the EEC; and on what date this right was given.
Procedures were agreed in the negotiations on 27th September, 1971, which will enable the Government in the period between now and the date of accession to the Communities to seek consultations on matters of interest to this country on which a decision of the Council of Ministers may be taken. The procedures are described in paragraph 10, Chapter 2 of the White Paper on the Accession of Ireland to the European Communities.
I notice that the form of words the Minister used was that we might seek consultation and that machinery has been set up for us to seek consultation. Is there any guarantee that we will get the consultations?
Yes.
If we get them is there any guarantee that we will be listened to? Is there any protection other than the right to ask to be heard?
The answer to the first question is that the representations should be recent. The consultations are not automatic. If your interests are affected you make your representations and you get your consultations. There is no doubt whatever about being heard. The attempt is to have a similar type of arrangement as there would be if we were a member so that the interests of a future member and partner in the Community will be taken fully into account.
As was the case in regard to fisheries and sugar?
Yes. We got an extra sugar quota. When we are a member, the allocation of the sugar quota will be much better because of our position at the table and because of our protocol.
13.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs why the EEC has offered the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man different agreements from that of the United Kingdom, in view of their constitutional relationships to the United Kingdom.
The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man have their own legislatures, fiscal systems and customs arrangements and, at the request of the United Kingdom, the Community agreed in the negotiations to special arrangements for them on the grounds that their inclusion with the United Kingdom in the EEC would present constitutional, administrative and economic difficulties. The arrangements agreed provide for free trade in industrial and agricultural goods, subject to a safeguard clause, and for the application to residents of the enlarged Community of any special privileges enjoyed by UK citizens.