asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has caused an examination to be made into the effect on industrial employment of the lowering of tariffs by reason of the creation of a Free Trade Area, of which this country would be a member, and, if so, if he will inform Dáil Éireann of the result of the examination.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Trade Area: Effect of Lowering of Tariffs.
The discussions on the proposed European Free Trade Area have not yet reached a stage at which the precise nature and timing of the obligations which this country would have to undertake if it joined the area, can be foreseen. Accordingly, the effect on industrial employment of the establishment of a Free Trade Area, of which this country would be a member, cannot yet be usefully assessed.