asked the Taoiseach if any further negotiations are taking place, or are likely to take place, in the near future relative to Ireland's application for membership of the EEC.

No further negotiations are due to take place, or appear likely to take place, in the near future in relation to our application for membership of the European Economic Community.

As our application for full membership still stands, I believe, can the Taoiseach indicate to the House, as we are about to adjourn for about three months, the circumstances under which negotiations are likely to recommence?

I should not like to attempt a guess about that.

Is the Taoiseach aware of the fact that contacts between the United Kingdom and the Common Market are now taking place under the auspices of WEU, and in view of the fact that trade negotiations are taking place, does he consider that some form of liaison between this country and the Common Market is desirable?

Yes.

Has the Taoiseach withdrawn his statement that we were making our application independently of Britain? The Taoiseach stated that whether we joined the Common Market or not, we would act independently. Is it not quite clear now that our application is tied up with Britain's? Has the Taoiseach withdrawn his statement——

That does not arise on the question.

It is a statement of fact.

It does not arise on the question.

May I ask the Taoiseach in this connection has his attention been drawn to the discussions which took place on Telstar in which Dr. von Brentano of the Federal Republic of Germany mentioned the probability of the future development of the Common Market and the inclusion of Britain, Denmark and Norway, without any reference to Ireland? Has the Taoiseach observed that this is the first occasion on which a European statesman of his stature has envisaged that expansion of the Common Market without the inclusion of Ireland?

The assurances we have received from the Federal Republic of Germany of support for our application are very adequate.

Will the Taoiseach state whether any intimation has been received from the British Government of an intention to review their application for membership of the EEC over the period likely to be covered by the Dáil recess?

No.