asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if there is any legislation available to his Department to prevent the import of goods which have the name of the country of origin endorsed on them in the Irish language; and, if not, if he proposes to introduce legislation to this effect.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Country of Origin of Imported Goods.
131.
The Acts governing the marking of imported goods with an indication of the country of origin are the Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887 to 1931. They do not prohibit the marking of the name of the country of origin in the Irish language and I do not propose to introduce such legislation.
Could the Minister clarify this? Would it not be proper that the Minister, his Department and every Government Department should encourage the use of Irish not only for this purpose but for State purposes generally in connection with goods on display? It does not matter whether they are marked in Irish by foreign makers or by Irish makers. Surely the real idea is to encourage the use of Irish?
I agree.