asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the limited sanctions against South Africa agreed by the EC in September 1986, have yet been fully implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - EC Sanctions against South Africa.
4.
The 12 member states of the European Community agreed on 16 September last to take further restrictive measures with regard to South Africa. These consisted of decisions to ban new investment in South Africa and the importation into the Twelve of iron, steel and gold coins from South Africa.
On implementation, the EC Foreign Ministers took an immediate decision to suspend the import of iron and steel in the framework of the ECSC Council with effect from 27 September. The modalities regarding the bans on gold coins and new investment took slightly longer to arrange. A Council regulation banning the importation of gold coins from South Africa was adopted on 27 October, at which time also Foreign Ministers of the Twelve approved a proposal to ban new investment through action to be taken by individual member states.
The Central Bank has been apprised of the measures taken with regard to new investment in South Africa and the import of gold coins from that country and has arranged to refuse all applications for new direct investment in South Africa and for approval for payment related to the importation of gold coins from South Africa until further notice. The Revenue Commissioners have also acted to ensure that no gold coins are imported privately and without payment. All imports of steel are subject to the issue of surveillance documentation issued by the Minister for Industry and Commerce and since the September decision no documents for imports of South African steel apart from exceptions provided for under the ECSC decision have been issued.
Does the Minister not think strange the alacrity with which the EC agreed on sanctions against Syria compared with their reluctance to take sanctions against South Africa? Would the Minister agree that the withdrawal by Barclay's Bank and other private firms with major investments in South Africa puts the efforts of the EC to shame?
I accept that. The withdrawal of the bank and of another firm announced this morning, show up the EC for not having moved very fast or far, despite urging by this and other countries that we go further. As I said when I last answered questions here on this subject, consensus is essential in these matters. Once we agree, we cannot move without consensus, this means that the EC will move only at the speed of the most reluctant of its partners.