asked the Minister for Finance whether, in view of the fact that stocks of dried fruit are now readily available, he will allocate the necessary currency to firms other than Food Importers (Éire), Limited, to import these commodities from the sterling and hard currency areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Importation of Dried Fruit.
There is no restriction on payments for imports from sterling area countries. Pending clarification of the position regarding the aid which may be made available to this country under the U.S. Economic Co-operation Act, it has not been possible to make U.S. dollars available for purchases of dried fruit. As regards payments for imports from other non-sterling areas there are obvious advantages to the exchange control in dealing with a central importing organisation but on that aspect of the matter I am always ready to consider, in consultation with the Minister for Industry and Commerce, any representations which may be made by the trade.