asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he intends to take any action to prevent the importation of phosphorus potassium and nitrogen phosphorus potassium fertiliser compounds which are now being offered in this country at £3 to £4 per ton below the United Kingdom list prices with a consequent threat of redundancy in an industry which is now capable of meeting all home requirements of fertiliser compounds for the 1967-68 season and in which there will be no falling off of production as compared to the 1966-67 season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Import of Fertiliser Compounds.
51.
A complaint recently made to my Department by the Irish fertiliser manufacturers that certain compound fertilisers of British origin are being sold in this country at dumped prices is being investigated in accordance with the provisions of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement.
Would the Minister say when the representations were first received by the fertiliser group?
I cannot give the Deputy the exact date but it was fairly recently.
Is the Minister aware that in some of these fertiliser factories, there is an immediate danger of redundancy after Christmas?
As I have told the Deputy, the complaint is being investigated in accordance with the provisions of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement. He will understand from that, that consultation with the other party to the Agreement is at present taking place.
Has the Minister any information as to the veracity of the allegation that the price is £3 to £4 per ton below the British price? That should be simple information to find out.
The Deputy will not be surprised if I tell him that I have also received representations to the effect that that is not true.
It would be a simple thing to find out.
It should be, but it is not as simple as it looks.
May I take it that it is the Minister's intention to ensure that the maximum will be employed in factories now producing all the requirements for the home market?
Certainly, and in so far as there may be dumping, I would wish to counteract it.