asked the Taoiseach if he has noted the suggested increases by the Federal Republic of Germany in tariffs for imports of industrial goods from countries other than those of the European Economic Community; what impact this proposal would have on the Irish economy; and whether he considers that it would be detrimental to the envisaged proposals for a wider European free trade area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tariff on Imports to Federal Republic of Germany.
4.
I presume the Deputy has in mind the possible effect on tariffs applicable by the Federal Republic of Germany to imports from third countries of certain proposals recently made by the Commission of the European Economic Community for the more rapid execution of the provisions of the Rome Treaty, in so far as those proposals would involve the earlier introduction of a common external tariff. The proposals would also reduce the common external tariff of the Community by 20 per cent.
I understand that the proposals referred to are at present under consideration by the Governments of the six members of the Community. Until a decision has been taken in the matter the eventuality envisaged by the Deputy remains hypothetical, and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by making a statement on the effects on our exports to the German Federal Republic or on the proposal for a wider Free Trade Area of the adoption by the Governments of the Community of one particular course.