andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether this country is bound by the 1938 or 1948 Trade Agreement with Britain to accept a minimum quantity of coal or any such products of British manufacture.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Effect of Trade Agreements with Britain.
70.
The answer is "no."
Is it or is it not a fact that we are bound by the 1938 Agreement to purchase coal from Britain before we purchase it from America or elsewhere, provided that coal is available in Britain?
No, that is not true.
Is it not a fact that the Taoiseach, when he was Minister for Industry and Commerce, made it quite clear to this House that it was mandatory on the Irish Government to purchase British coal, and that the only situation in which we could purchase American coal was a situation in which British coal was not available?
That is not so.
That is not right.