Galway Advertiser 1972/1972_05_04/GA_04051972_E1_005.pdf 

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A Message to the People of Galway from--An Taoiseach

On Wednesday, the ioth May, the people will be asked to decide whether or not this country should become a m e m b e r of the E.E.C. That decision will be of vital importance for the future of t h e nation and I would ask each voter to make it in a mature and responsible way. I know that this is not easy. Many of the detailed arguments put forward, whether in favour or against entry, are complicated ones because they deal with so m a n y aspects of the nation's affairs. But the basic issues are clear-cut. First it is clear that we cannot remain as we are. With Britain, Denmark and Norway joining the E . E . C , there will be changes in our trading and other links with Europe. The real choice thjtn is between the changes which will take place should we join, as against those which we face if we remain outside.

On economic grounds, the balance of argument is over whelmingly in favour of membership. Entry will mean more and better-paid jobs for our workers, brought about not only by better export opportunities, but by the greater prosperity of farmers. It will also bring improved social services and a standard of living for our people com parable with that prevailing in Western Europe. But membership means more than this -- it affects our standing as a nation. In the E.E.C. we will be a part ner working with the other member countries to shape the development of a com munity which is a growing force for peace and progress in Europe and throughout the world. To stay out would be to day that we are unable or unwill ing to work in co-operation with these countries for the good of all. In effect, voting " N o " would be a vote of no confidence in ourselves as a people. Membership of the E.E.C. is the way ahead for the nation. In making your deci sion, I would ask you to think not only of your own situation but of the "effects on those around you and on future generations. I am confident you will then agree that you should vote " Y E S " on May ioth.
JOHN LYNCH,

Taoiseach. May,
1972.

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Usually the European Parliament meets in the "Maison de l'Europe" in Strasbourg. There are 142 members: a liberal group, a christian-democrat group, a socialist group and since 1969 a small communist section. The European Par liament is the only body with the power to send the Commission home. Its me mbers are chosen by the national Parliaments from their own ranks.

Living conditions and standards
Relative i n c o m e levels $ per year (at market prices)
GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT PER HEAD OF POPULATION AVERAGE INCOME PER EMPLOYED PERSON'

1958

1969

% CHANGE

2

1958

1969

% CHANGE*

BELGIUM FRANCE GERMANY ITALY LUXEMBOURG NETHERLANDS

1,154 1,196 1,094 612 1,402 845

2,372 2,785 2,513 1,521 2,632 2,196

+106 +160 +116 +149 + 88

1,846 1,730 1,461 1,033 2,488' 1,432

3,811 4,176 3,470 2,812 4,037* 3.987

+106 +170 +123 +172 + 62*

+147

+165

COMMUNITY

965

2,271

+135

1,455

3,566

+145

UK NORWAY

1,248 1,138 1,101 1,747 578
3

1,974 2,528 2,861 3,544 1,162

+

84

1,677 1,959 1.617

2,779 4,180 3,446* N.A. 2,065*

+

93

+122 +182 +103 +135
7

+113 +120' N.A. +121'

THE HAGUE SUMMIT The Hague Summit Con ference paved the way for renewed negotiations with the four candidate coun tries. They began on J u n e 30 1970 in Luxembourg, in the Kirchberg building. The British delegation is led by ministers Douglas Hume and Anthony Barber. Ireland was represented by Patrick Hillary and his group.

DENMARK SWEDEN IRISH R E P .

N.A. 1,089

USA JAPAN

2,613 349

4,664 1,625

+

78

4,402 648

7,288 2,262

+

66

+365

+249

Sources: ECSO 'Value of earnings, social-security contributions paid and fringe benefits provided by employers; excludes self-employed and unearned income. 'Rates of increase are calculated on the basis of figures expressed IN national currencies. 1960 1963 '1958-68 '1960-68 '1960-69
3 4

P a i d h o l i d a y s (days per year) S i t u a t i o n in April 1 9 7 0 for a d u l t w o r k e r s
M I N I M U M LAID DOWN BY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT'

COUNTRY BELGIUM

LEGAL M I N I M U M THREE WEEKS

1

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 10

TOTAL' 25-28

--
24

THE HEART OF THE MATTER The "Berlayment," crossshaped building in the cen tre of the picture, is the Commission's headquarters. On the left: the building known as "Charlemagne" where most of the negotia ting with the candidate countries was done. On the circuit, extreme right, part of another block of build ings can be seen, its main entrance (not in picture) is on the Avenue de la Joyeuse Entree. It used to be the EEC-Commission's headquarters and still hou ses over 1.000 officials.

FRANCE

2 WORKING DAYS PER MONTH

8-10

32-34

GERMANY

15-18

16-24

10-13

25-3/

j--
ITALY 18-24

. '
13-21 17 30-38 28-34

LUXEMBOURG

--
15-24

10

NETHERLANDS

10-12

7

17-31

UK

--

SOMETIMES 1C GENERALLY 1 5 ;

6

16-21

Source: EEC 'Care should be exercised with these figures as the working week may be five or six days. Twenty-four days a year may mean four weeks' holiday in the case of a six-day working week.