asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether special tariff concessions to be given on goods of Northern Ireland origin have been discussed with the industries affected in the Twenty-Six Counties; and what machinery will be instituted to ensure that such goods are not in fact of British origin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tariff Concessions on Northern Ireland Goods.
31.
Mr. O'Leary
Arrangements are being made to hold discussions with Irish industry concerning the tariff concessions it is proposed to offer on certain goods of Northern Ireland origin. It is intended to prescribe appropriate certificates of origin, which will be subject to check by our customs authorities, to ensure that only goods made in Northern Ireland will benefit from the concessions.
Mr. O'Leary
Do I gather that such discussions have not already taken place?
No, they are taking place.
Mr. O'Leary
Would the Minister agree that this leaves a pretty short period to discuss this problem with any sections affected? I am speaking particularly of the furniture industry, which as the Minister knows, will be very concerned about any reduction of tariffs.
There will be other discussions, but the period cannot determine what we will do. When we have the discussions we can decide, but the period will not determine our action.
Surely the Minister must agree that if the Agreement comes into operation on 1st July, the period between now and 1st July is the only time the Government have to decide whether or not this will be done.
It is a ten-year period.
The first impact will be felt after 1st July. Surely then it is nonsensical to say that time does not matter?
The Agreement with Great Britain comes into operation on 1st July. The giving of extra concessions to manufacturers in the Six Counties is something which is done after consultation with the other parties to the Agreement and after consultation with our own industry. We hope to have it ready by 1st July but it does not have to be. We are not bound to give concessions. We can give them when we decide to do so.
As far as the Agreement is concerned, the Six Counties will be regarded as part of the United Kingdom for the purposes of the Agreement until you come to some conclusion with the Six County Government?
Not with the Six County Government. We can make our own decision and discuss it with the other parties to the Agreement. But we are not bound to give concessions.
You mean not necessarily give concessions on 1st July.
Mr. O'Leary
For the purposes of the Agreement, the Six Counties is an integral part of the United Kingdom?
The Deputy missed the whole point of the Agreement.
Other people missed points in the Agreement.
(Interruptions.)