asked the Taoiseach when he proposes to meet each of the heads of State of the six EEC member countries as well as those of the prospective member countries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
3.
I have no plans at present for any such meetings on a bilateral basis. It is expected that, later this year, there will be a meeting of the heads of State or Government of the present member States of the European Communities and of the four applicant countries. We have indicated our willingness to take part in such a meeting.
4.
asked the Taoiseach if he will state when he last met the heads of State of each of the six member countries of the EEC.
I presume that the Deputy has in mind meetings, for substantive discussions, with heads of Government rather than with heads of States.
Following the reactivation of our application for membership of the European Communities in May, 1967, I met each of the heads of Government of the member States in that year.
5.
asked the Taoiseach the position relative to the Anglo-Irish Trade Agreement following on the signing of accession to the EEC by this country and the United Kingdom.
The position under the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement is not affected by the signing by this country and the United Kingdom of the Treaty of Accession to the European Communities, which is subject to ratification. As regards the position which will obtain from the date of accession to the Communities, it has been agreed in the negotiations that the implementation of the transitional measures should not result in any diminution in the degree of freedom of trade already existing between the two countries under the Free Trade Area Agreement. Over the transitional period, we shall move forward from the present system of trade with the United Kingdom to participation with that country in the common market of the Communities.
Do I take it that, if and when we accede to the EEC, the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement will no longer operate?
No. I can give the Deputy an example. The transitional period in relation to the elimination of tariffs on industrial goods as between us and the United Kingdom under the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement operates until 1975. That will continue, whereas the elimination of tariffs on industrial goods in the EEC will go on until 1977.
Do I further take it from the Taoiseach's reply that tariffs vis-á-vis the EEC and the United Kingdom will not be the same in that period?
No. Britain will have free access for those industrial goods that are covered by the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement by 1975. The other member countries will not, until 1977.