asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in the case of industries at present protected by quota restrictions on imports, where it was intended, in anticipation of membership of the European Economic Community, to change these restrictions to tariff restrictions, any decision has been reached, in view of the indefinite suspension of negotiations on membership of EEC, as to whether such change from quota to tariff will now take place; or whether the quota restrictions will remain in force indefinitely.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quota Restrictions on Imports.
8.
I would refer the Deputy to an official announcement on this subject which appears in today's newspapers.
The Minister does not anticipate there will be any unemployment in these industries as a result?
No, I do not think so.
Will the Minister further confirm that all quota restrictions will be gone by the 30th June, 1963?
No.
I have only a press report. In January last, there was an announcement to the effect that quota restrictions would end not later than 30th June, 1963.
That has been changed. The announcement is that that decision has been revised.
Has the Taoiseach any idea as to the new date?
Certain quotas will be disappearing by that date and others will not.
Not all of them?
No.
Has the amount of the tariff in respect of each commodity been decided?
I think so, yes. I think the orders are already made.
The Press announcement does not say what they are?
The actual tariff orders are made and are operative.
Has the actual amount been made public?
Yes. I shall have the information for the Deputy.
Is this because of the failure of the Brussels negotiations?
Yes.