asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why Ireland had no stall to advertise Irish goods for export at the International Exhibition in Brussels.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Exhibits at International Exhibition.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why Ireland was not an exhibitor at the International Exhibition in Brussels, which was attended by 41,000,000 people.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.
As I said in reply to a question on this subject on 9th July, 1958, an invitation to participate in the Brussels International Exhibition was received on the 27th June, 1954. In September, 1955, the matter was considered by an inter-departmental committee, following which a proposal to participate in the exhibition was submitted to the then Government, but was later withdrawn again. The proposal appears to have been dropped and no further action is recorded.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary not consider that, as Europe is possibly on the eve of a Free Trade Area, this would have been a good opportunity to have advertised Irish products in international fairs such as Brussels?
As one who was at the Brussels Fair, may I say that every small country in Europe and the Arab States were represented? Even the pocket State of Monaco was represented. At least the Irish should have been represented.
Did the Deputy not represent us?
I cannot represent any of you anywhere.
There is a variety of opinions held on this question and, as I have stated, the matter has not been considered since 1955, when a proposal to participate was withdrawn from the then Government agenda.