It is gratifying, I think, that speakers from all sides of the House, in referring to Córas Tráchtála have been at pains to point out that they felt it was doing a good job and trying hard to do a good job. This, indeed, is my own impression and it is the impression I have received from conversation I have had with a number of industrialists in various industries. They all feel that the staff of Córas Tráchtála are very dedicated to their work and give an excellent service.
There are people who feel that perhaps some of the services provided by Córas Tráchtála in the past are not now as necessary as they were and that there may be other services they could now give which they are not giving. This is something that will always bear examination. I think a body such as Córas Tráchtála should regularly review its whole activities in the light of current circumstances and, in fact, I believe they do this.
A number of suggestions in regard to activities in which Córas Tráchtála do not indulge were based, I think, on a misconception in regard to the functions of Córas Tráchtála. The last such suggestion came from Deputy T. O'Donnell who suggested that Córas Tráchtála might approach its business more on the lines of An Bord Bainne but there is a very big difference in the two functions. An Bord Bainne are selling a particular product and they have a brand name. They are in the same position as an Irish manufacturer going in to sell his product. Córas Tráchtála has a different function which is to assess markets, to try to achieve introductions into markets, to aid such things as the mounting of a trade display and shows in various department stores but they are trying to find the smooth way into the market for the man who is actually selling. This is a vital distinction between their activities and the activities of An Bord Bainne. I think a number of suggestions made here today have been based on this misconception.
I have heard some people suggest that Córas Tráchtála may be going too far in spoonfeeding some of our exporters. I do not know whether this is so. I know that many exporters appreciate very much the services they give in instructing them on the kind of documentation necessary to get their goods into various markets abroad. I understand that they issue a loose-leaf folder containing relevant information which may be added to from time to time when they issue new sheets so as to keep the exporter up to date. They are vital if exporters are to do their job properly. They must pay attention to this small but very important item. Córas Tráchtála are providing a very good service in this regard.
Deputy Cosgrave talked about the small number of firms in this country engaged in exports. I understand that there are approximately 700 exporters, of whom 100 represent the vast bulk of our exports: I am speaking now of industrial exports. I agree that, on the face of it, this seems a very small base on which to be dependent. I was surprised when I went into this to discover that in fact the propoetion involved is considerably better than that in a number of other countries, including, I think, the United States. It is a very surprising thing in that so many countries should have such a narrow base for their exports which are so vital to them. This appears to be the pattern and our preparation seems to be a good deal better than that of other countries. Nevertheless, I should like to see it extended because we, more than any other country, are dependent on foreign trade.
I do not think it is necessary, or that it should be necessary, at this stage in this House to stress the importance of exports in our national economy. We are all well aware of this. What is not always so clearly realised is the importance of exports with our industrialists in their individual firms. The position is that with the advent of free trade, many of our industrialists will find themselves competing on the home market, as they now have to compete on the export market. To the extent that they can achieve exports, they can achieve economies in production which will enable them to hold on to their base in the home market and that will give them the confidence and the morale which comes from knowing one is competing successfully on international markets. That is of great importance to them if they are to achieve success.
I believe that in our present circumstances our exporters who are in the front line of battle, not only for success but for survival, are not accorded sufficient status, sufficient respect and sufficient honour, whether they are large or small. It may be said, of course, that they are making money on their exports. I hope they are. But, whether they are or not, I feel strongly that we could all examine our consciences and perhaps find that we have not given sufficient status and respect to our exporters who are, in fact, maintaining the standard of living of this country on a level far higher than we could hope to achieve if they were not doing the work they are doing. They are our main hope for a rising standard of living in the future. If one accepts this is so, one would accept that they deserve more honour from us as a community than we have tended to give them.
Reference has been made to the Kilkenny Design Workshop. I want to say that I consider that the work done has been extremely valuable and that it will prove to be very much more valuable in the future. Deputy Cosgrave referred to the fact that he did not think it was yet paying its way. This is true, but this is not what it was set up for. It could pay its way purely on commercial production. It does a small amount of commercial production and makes some money. However, it was set up to make design. If it were set up for commercial purposes, it could pay its way but it would not be doing the job for which it was set up.
For some time past, this project has been concentrating on trade products in connection with an export promotion drive which will take place in the New Year in the United States. It was necessary to do this to ensure the success of this particular project; but this is outside its function, which should be more widespread. It has been successful in reviving some crafts which were dying out in this country. As a result of this, the people concerned have found very valuable export markets in crafts that were about to die. I believe the Kilkenny Design Workshop will prove to be of tremendous importance to us in the future. For this reason, I have made arrangements to have more intensive effort put into the work of the Kilkenny Design Workshop.
I agree with Deputy James Tully in saying that ultimately selling abroad depends on the individual firm or business. This, of course, is true, and this is the point I was trying to make at the beginning. It is not the function of Córas Tráchtála and if Deputies would realise what the functions of Córas Tráchtála are, as I explained at the outset, they would have a clearer picture of what Córas Tráchtála are trying to do and how far they are achieving that objective. I am satisfied they are going close to achieving the objectives they have set. We, of course, will never be satisfied they are doing a one hundred per cent job but I think they are doing an extremely good job and will continue to do so. They will, of course, review their functions from time to time to bring them into line with any changes that may come about.
I am not aware of the complaints that seem to have been suggested by Deputy James Tully, that complaints have been made that Córas Tráchtála has advised on markets that do not exist. He did not say that but what he said amounted to that. I do not think there is any truth in it. He did mention the furniture industry. While it has a long way to go, it is one of our more hopeful success stories. The CIO report indicated very little hope for the furniture industry. As a result of the work of the adaptation council, the industry is now on the way to achieving exports. It has a long way to go but there is still hope for it.
Deputy Tully said something which he says he said before and I do not think it is true. He said our Embassies abroad do not serve Irish whiskey. I do not drink Irish whiskey but I do think they serve it.
