asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the fact that there was a £30 million adverse trade balance with Great Britain in 1964 and a £38 million adverse trade balance for the first ten months of 1965, he will indicate what steps he proposes to take to remedy the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Adverse Trade Balance.
19.
The import excess in our trade with Britain and Northern Ireland in 1964 was £17.5 million. For the ten-month period January-October, 1965, the figure was £27.4 million. I am glad, however, to be able to point out for the Deputy's information that the published trade statistics show that while the import excess for the six months period January-June 1965, was £26.5 million, trade in the subsequent four months period July-October, 1965, was practically in balance. Available evidence indicates that this favourable trend has been maintained in the period since October, 1965. It will, of course, be assisted by the new trading opportunities which will be opened to us when the Free Trade Area Agreement with Britain comes into operation on 1st July next.