asked the Taoiseach how many meetings there have been since November, 1964, to date attended by Minister and/or officials in connection with negotiations for Anglo-Irish trade, if any; what progress has been made in or because of such negotiations; and if he will make a detailed statement on the matter.

2.

asked the Taoiseach whether he will make a statement on the recent trade talks with the British Government and on how far they have progressed; whether (a) the question of this country's application for membership of the EEC, (b) the Border, (c) the ten per cent levy, (d) increased prices for agricultural exports, (e) increased markets for industrial exports, and (f) the adverse balance of trade with Britain were discussed at these talks; and, if so, with what results.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

There have been seven meetings since November, 1964, of groups of officials from both sides for discussions on Anglo-Irish trading arrangements. As stated by me in the Dáil on the 13th July, 1965, a fair amount of progress has been made in the discussions and I shall lead an Irish delegation for further talks at Ministerial level in London later this month. Deputies will appreciate that it would be premature to give a detailed statement at the present juncture.

Is the Taoiseach in a position to say whether a new trade agreement will be negotiated or whether it will be an amendment of the existing agreements?

The discussions relate to the possibility of a new trade agreement.