Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EC and EFTA Meetings.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

8 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he is satisfied with the discussions which have taken place between the EC and EFTA, during the period of Ireland's Presidency of the EC, having regard to the closer co-operation and economic integration of the Community and EFTA within the framework of the proposed European Economic Space; and if he is satisfied that such an enlarged economic community could create the resources necessary to provide economic and social assistance to the newly emerging democracies in central and eastern Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

9 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the programme of meetings which he hopes to have with the Heads of Government of the EFTA countries during the course of Ireland's Presidency of the EC; the items which will be discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.

I will be having a number of meetings here over the coming weeks with Heads of Government of EFTA member states details of which will be announced in the normal way. The first of these will take place with Prime Minister Carlsson of Sweden, the current EFTA Presidency, and they will also include meetings with the Heads of Government of Finland, Norway and Austria. The main focus of these meetings will be the EC's relations with EFTA.

A joint meeting of EC and EFTA Foreign Ministers on 19 December agreed that formal negotiations on strengthening relations between the EC and EFTA should begin as soon as possible. The Presidency has asked the Commission to submit proposals on a mandate for these negotiations to the April General Affairs Council.

The development of a new EC-EFTA relationship is all the more significant in the context of the radical changes in central and eastern Europe. The EC and EFTA are already engaged in collective assistance through the Group of 24 to the emerging democracies there and this assistance is likely to be enhanced through the broadening and deepening of EC-EFTA co-operation.

Mr. Spring

From the tenor of the Taoiseach's reply I take it that he is taking a positive attitude in relation to strengthening the Community's ties with the EFTA countries. Is he hopeful that in the course of the Irish Presidency there will be some conclusion to the discussions taking place between the Community and EFTA? Does he feel that the agreement which can be worked out between the Community and EFTA will be of major benefit in assisting the emerging democracies in eastern Europe?

The Taoiseach

The Irish Presidency is under a specific instruction from the last Strasbourg summit to proceed with these negotiations. That we are doing. It would be unrealistic to expect that they will be concluded during the Irish Presidency. There is a general wish that some new type of relationship should be developed between the Community and EFTA, particularly in view of the fact that the Community and the EFTA countries share so many common values and so many mutual interests.

Mr. J. Bruton

Does the Taoiseach favour the idea of a formal relationship between the European Community and EFTA as a whole, as distinct from bilateral arrangements with individual EFTA countries? Would he agree that if free trade without technical barriers within the EFTA-EC area is to be effective there needs to be a common European court covering both areas to deal with disputes that may arise?

The Taoiseach

I do not want to pre-empt anything of that nature because the discussions are still at a preliminary stage. We are still awaiting the mandate from the Commission and the negotiations with the EFTA countries will proceed on the basis of that mandate. It is likely that there will be an attempt to establish the sort of relationship the Deputy mentioned, namely a relationship between the Community as such and the EFTA countries as such, rather than individual bilateral agreements. Whether that will be possible I do not know. The Deputy will realise that there are enormous difficulties in the way. It is a very complex situation, arising, apart from anything else, from the differences between the EFTA countries themselves.

Mr. Spring

Does the Taoiseach attribute any particular importance to the fact that Sweden and Austria are, like ourselves, neutral countries? In the course of negotiating a special relationship with the EFTA countries, would the Taoiseach consider it to be important in relation to our neutrality that these countries also be part?

The Taoiseach

The mandate will be for the development of a relationship between the EFTA countries as such and the Community, not on the basis of the application of any of these countries for membership of the Community. That is not likely to arise for some considerable time.

Mr. J. Bruton

Except Austria.

Mr. Barry

Does the Taoiseach appreciate that we have spent the last 35 minutes discussing matters that could be discussed more satisfactorily from the point of view of the Government and of individual Members at a foreign affairs committee?

The Taoiseach

I am being of great service to the House in answering these questions.

Mr. Barry

I am not denying that but it might be of more service to the House to have a foreign affairs committee.

The Taoiseach

I am always anxious to be as forthcoming and informative as possible.

Mr. Barry

Then the Taoiseach will accept my motion tonight.

The Taoiseach

No, I will not accept the motion tonight.