asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will indicate the foreign countries in which an endeavour to open up new markets for Irish agricultural produce is being made by our diplomatic or consular representatives; if he will state the special products for which these markets are being sought, and detail the special steps taken for this object, indicating how far success has so far attended these efforts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Markets for Saorstát Goods.
In each country in which the Saorstát has diplomatic or consular representatives those officers, in accordance with their instructions, are on the look-out for any opportunities which may occur of opening up new markets for Saorstát products, agricultural and otherwise, and special attention has been given to this matter in recent months, as, for instance, by the appointment of a Commercial Secretary, resident in France, for the promotion of the trade interests of the Saorstát in that country. With several countries negotiations are at present in progress in regard to trade in various classes of agricultural commodities, in regard to which it is not, of course, desirable at this stage to publish details. Careful attention will continue to be given to the question of the opening up of new markets, the importance of which is fully recognised.
Without asking for details of the arrangements would the Minister mention the countries with which these agreements are hoped for?
Is there any prospect of opening up a market for our beef and mutton with an entirely vegetarian country like India?
Can I have an answer to my question?
The countries mentioned in the reply would cover France, Germany and America in particular.
As special efforts appear to be made in regard to France, as indicated in the Minister's reply, pointing to the appointment of a special representative there, it is with France that we are opening up a particular market?
Amongst other countries.
Yes, but special attention was called to France by the special appointment of a trade representative at Paris.
But his operations are not confined to France.
But is France not the country with which we are trying to get another market for our agricultural produce?
What countries besides the British Empire were we supplying in the last ten years with any agricultural products that we were producing in this country.