asked the Taoiseach whether, in view of the increasingly uncertain fate of Ireland's application for membership to the EEC, it is his intention to seek a review of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement with a view to restoring Ireland's industrial trading advantage in the remaining years of the agreement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement.
16.
It is not clear what the Deputy means by restoring our industrial trading advantage as the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement opened up additional industrial trading possibilities in the British market.
If the Deputy has in mind the home market I would refer him to the reply I gave on 7th May last to a question by him, to which I have nothing to add.
Mr. O'Leary
Is the Taoiseach aware that the remaining years of this agreement will be to the disadvantage, increasingly, of this country? Will he agree that all commentators have agreed on that? The Taoiseach may plead that some advantages accrued this year and last year but will he not agree that next year and the year after the disadvantages will lie with this country? Our employment will suffer and any advantages we have gained in that respect will be reversed. It is the industrial employment in towns that will suffer during the remaining years of the agreement.
The numbers in insurable employment in this country are the highest ever.
The number of industrial workers in the last five years has gone down by 10,000. In the light of that situation, will the Taoiseach seek a revision of the agreement? Otherwise many jobs will go.
I am satisfied that the agreement is working to our advantage at the present time. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the agreement contains a provision whereby we can consult with the British Government in cases where a particular industry or a range of industries get into difficulties.
Is the Taoiseach aware that jobs will be lost this year and next year because of the agreement?