asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether his attention has been drawn to a speech made by Mr. Garret Fitzgerald of the Economic Intelligence Unit on 12th May at the Irish Management Institute Conference, in which Mr. Fitzgerald stated that one major industry had so far refused to cooperate with the Government in the process of substituting tariffs for quotas in preparation for the possible entry of this country into EEC; whether, to his knowledge, there is any basis for this allegation; whether it is a fact that industries are in a position to insist on quota rather than tariff protection; and, if so, whether, in view of the necessity to minimise any possible dislocation of employment which might result from the impact of EEC conditions on this country, he will ensure that Government steps to prepare for increased competition cannot thus be set aside by private interests.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC: Tariffs and Quotas.
9.
I am not aware of the basis for the statement to which the Question refers. Industries are not in a position to insist on quota rather than tariff protection; and, in the circumstances, the last part of the Question does not arise.