asked the Minister for External Affairs whether the Saorstát representative on the Empire Marketing Board has furnished any report as to the effect of the Board's activities on the sale of Saorstát produce in the British markets; whether it is with that representative's concurrence that the Board has been appealing to the people of Northern Ireland to purchase Australian butter and meat; and whether the work of the Board is so definitely advantageous to the Saorstát export trade as to justify the continuance of the Saorstát representative thereon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Empire Marketing Board.
The Deputy will remember that in the last debate on the External Affairs Estimate the activities of the Commissioner for Trade in London including his work on the Empire Marketing Board were dealt with at length.
From reports which have been received from time to time from the Saorstát representative on that Board I am satisfied that the continuance of Saorstát representation is desirable.
As the Deputy is doubtless aware, the Empire Marketing Board endeavours by publicity and other means to increase the demand on the British market for the products of all Dominions without exception, and in view of the Board's efforts to stimulate the purchasing of Saorstát products in Northern Ireland obviously no objection could be taken to the Board's similar effort on behalf of Australian products.
Is the Minister aware that the efforts of the Empire Marketing Board to popularise and advertise Irish products in the British markets are being hindered to a great extent by propaganda against this State conducted by Senator Sir John Keane and other Irish correspondents of British newspapers, and, in view of the loss to the Irish agricultural industry occasioned by the propaganda, will the Minister seriously consider the advisability of taking steps to banish these persons from the State?
That is a separate question.
Does the Minister not consider this a serious matter, in view of the fact that this Board is advising the people of Northern Ireland to purchase Australian butter which is very detrimental to the industry, especially in the Border counties, and will be not take the matter up with the Board with a view to getting them to cease their activities in that direction?
Mr. Hogan
In other words, we are to suggest to the Board that they should exist to advertise Irish products only. I would not make any such suggestion. The Board has given exceptional assistance to Irish produce on the British markets.
Is the Minister aware that these people are only advising the Northern Government to do what the Free State are actually doing themselves?