asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has any further information to give on the position regarding the levy on sugar and sugar products exported to Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Levy on Exports of Sugar and Sugar Products.
7.
I am not at present in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave to a question by the Deputy on this matter the 12th May last.
Is it not a fact that under the 1948 Trade Agreement—I think Paragraph 5—there is an undertaking by the British Government not to worsen our trading relations with them in respect of any agricultural project as a result of an agreement with another State? Is it not true that, in fact, since that time the agreement by which Crown Colony Sugar is preferred through the medium of a levy on sugar from other sources has materially interfered with the advantages guaranteed to us under that section of the 1948 Trade Agreement? Has that aspect of this question been raised with the British Government?
The Government of which the Deputy was a member took a certain view on the imposition of this levy as it affected Irish sugar. As a result of that view, no action was taken. Action has now been taken to see if the position can be altered in favour of the export of Irish sugar.
Then I can take it that the relevant proviso of the 1948 Trade Agreement is being canvassed and that our rights under it are being pressed on the British Government so that, in the spirit of that Trade Agreement, it is not impossible that the disadvantage which sugar exports at present labour under will be removed?
I am anxious, on account of the position of the beet industry in this country, that the mess left by Deputy Dillon and Deputy Norton in this Agreement will be cleared up.
Is that a question or a speech?
Is that a question?
Therefore——
That is a positive statement. It is not a question.
He did not know how to ask the question. Now he is trying to——
If the fellow who made the mess would keep his mouth shut we might get somewhere.
The Deputy will resume his seat. He has no question to ask.
The Deputy certainly has. I want to know how the negotiations are progressing. The Coalition made a big mess of it.
All Deputy Corry wanted to do was to raise a row.