Vol. 212 No. 4
asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the recent discussions in London and the consequences arising therefrom, with special reference to the maintenance of industrial employment during the period of the levies affecting our industrial exports to Great Britain.
2.
asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of the discussions held in London on trade matters on 5th November, 1964.
With your permission, Sir, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
To-day's Order Paper includes a motion for leave to introduce a Supplementary Estimate for Vote No. 41 (Industry and Commerce). This will be of a token character. It is proposed, with the agreement of the Dáil, to move this Supplementary Estimate to-morrow when I will make a statement regarding the recent discussions with the British Prime Minister and outline the steps which the Government propose to take in the light of the situation arising from the imposition by the British Government of the temporary import charges.
I note that the Taoiseach proposes to make a more exhaustive statement tomorrow. However, there are certain questions in relation to which I should be grateful if he could in some measure release information today. One is that in 1960, on his return from London, he informed the House that our relations with Great Britain were on a contractual basis and would involve regular consultation between the two Governments. What steps were taken to bring to the attention of the Government of Great Britain the argument which the Taoiseach described as having greatly impressed the British Ministers, that is, that the impact of charges on trade was more severely felt in Ireland than in any other country and that the charges were contrary to the Trade Agreement? What steps were taken prior to the visit to London of the Taoiseach and the Minister for Industry and Commerce to bring these matters to the attention of the British Government in view of the regular consultations provided for under the 1960 agreement?
We are all agreed on both sides of this House—and, indeed, the British Government, too—that the 15 per cent levy is a breach of the existing Trade Agreements, 1938 to 1948. We are all agreed that it imposes heavy financial loss on us. Is it by the Taoiseach's authority that the Minister for Transport and Power and the Minister for Justice are making speeches in the country, one admonishing the trade unions and the other forecasting additional taxation? If it is not by his authority, would it not be more prudent that the members of his Government would withhold speeches until such time as he has spoken of the joint Government proposals in regard to these matters?
I should like to ask the Taoiseach further if he would agree with me and deem it expedient to express that agreement now—as of today—that it is vitally important at the earliest possible moment to reassure wage earners in the export industries affected by this levy that it is within our competence and that we intend to do whatever requires to be done to ensure that their jobs will be safe?
I should like also to ask the Taoiseach whether it is not desirable at this early stage to be realistic in regard to these matters and to recognise, apart from the financial loss this breach of our agreement will involve us in, that it also means that the whole basis which we have so carefully built up of Ireland as a safe base from which to exploit the British market has seriously been prejudiced by this new departure. I should also like to ask if——
Is the Deputy asking questions or making a speech?
I am not making a speech. I am asking questions in respect of which I think it proper to inform the Taoiseach I intend to make a speech tomorrow.
The Deputy will not have anything left to say.
I think it is usual on a question asking for a statement. So far as this matter is concerned, we want to help. I would remind the Taoiseach that he would be well advised to recognise that at this time it is expedient that all sides should help if we are to avoid possible consequences——
Is this a question?
These are supplementary questions to which I might reasonably expect a civil reply. Would the Taoiseach care to express agreement with the proposition that, while a "Buy Irish" campaign is eminently desirable and deserving of general commendation, fundamentally that alone cannot preserve the markets which we have opened up and which we must not allow to be closed against us during this period? I should like to ask the Taoiseach whether in the course of the discussions in London, the Government thought it expedient to suggest to the British Government that, if they could make no concession in respect of the 15 per cent tariff, some compensatory gesture might have been made in regard to the three months period for store cattle and in respect of carcase meat exports from this country?
Lastly, I should like to ask the Taoiseach this. We are continually being told about restrictive practices. The true significance of that phrase depends very largely on who uses it. Would the Taoiseach consider this an appropriate time to institute inquiries, or a formal inquiry, into the whole question of restrictive practices of management and unions in industry so that appropriate agreed measures might be devised to eliminate waste and to increase the competitiveness of Irish industry in the time ahead? I should be grateful if the Taoiseach could give us some preliminary information in respect of these matters. It is of some importance to the country that such preliminary information in respect of some of them at least should be provided forthwith.
I propose to deal with these matters tomorrow.
Could the Taoiseach say if he is making the opening speech tomorrow by way of statement?
Yes.
He will move the adoption of the token Estimate?
That is right.
And the Minister for Industry and Commerce will wind up?
All that has been decided so far is that I shall open.
I want to press one question with the Taoiseach. In my constituency—as I have no doubt is true in other constituencies—workmen have lost their jobs. They have been given notice and are now without work. I believe these jobs could be restored if from all sides of the House we were in a position today to say that we have the means and we intend to use them to preserve these men's employment——
The Deputy will have to make this speech again tomorrow.
The Taoiseach need not get impatient.
This is an abuse of Question Time. We all know what the Deputy is doing. He is trying to get tomorrow's speech into the morning newspapers.
Is this an aspersion on the Chair?
If the Taoiseach would join with others in saying that the jobs of these men should be preserved, I believe he would do a great service to the people who are at present suffering acute anxiety.
I must say I am greatly supported by the Deputy's newfound interest in the development of Irish industry.
He is employing more in industry than the entire Front Bench of the Government, in his personal capacity.
I remember the Deputy coming in here with a baby's shirt and saying: "This is what you are trying to do."
Senile delinquents.
I notice the Taoiseach's approach. He is unable to rise above party politics.
We all know what Deputy Dillon is doing. That is party politics of the crudest kind.
That is no spirit in which to approach this situation.
