asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he intends using the Irish Presidency of the EC to expand membership to other countries such as Austria and Turkey.

36.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the Austrian application for membership of the EC; and if the Austrian conception of neutrality will allow it to enter fully into the commitments inherent in the political dimensions of full economic and monetary union.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 36 together.

The Treaties establishing the European Communities set out the procedures for dealing with membership applications. These provide that the Council shall act unanimously on an application after consulting the Commission and after receiving the assent of the European Parliament.

These procedures were invoked following the Turkish application in April 1987 and the Austrian application in July this year. In the case of Austria, the Council stated that the considerations raised by Austria regarding its status of permanent neutrality would be examined by the Community bodies in the framework of the existing provisions governing the institutions.

Pending the outcome of these procedures it would not be appropriate for the Government to express a view on possible future membership of the Community by Austria or Turkey.

In so far as the Irish Presidency is concerned we are prepared to take up the membership applications in the Council in accordance with the Treaties when the Commission's opinions are received.

Is the Taoiseach concerned at the seriousness of Belgium's reservation about the letter of application written by the Austrian Government? I know this will mean there will be interference in reaching a unanimous decision but will Belgium try to block their entry into the Community?

I did not quite understand the question.

The Austrian Government's application was accompanied by a letter which declared their permanent status of neutrality and the importance of that to them. The Belgian Government expressed reservations about the application because of the content of the letter. Are those reservations shared by the Irish Government? Should this reservation lead to a blocking motion that this will interfere with the enlargement of the Community?

We have not taken any such action and, therefore, the Deputy can take it that we wish to have both these applications processed through the normal procedures as laid down by the Community.

Does the Taoiseach see Belgium's reservation about Austria as not allowing Austrian membership of the Community.

I do not wish to comment on that. However I would say that all factors covering these applications, including at attitude by a member state would have to be taken into account in the processing of applications. These processes and procedures are laid down and that they will be followed.

Question No. 3, please.

May I ask the Taoiseach——

A brief question, Deputy.