asked the Taoiseach if he is aware of the serious concern caused by his speech at the launching of national productivity year in which he said make no mistake about it, within two or three years tariff reductions will really begin to bite; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Productivity Year Speech.
1.
The purpose of the remark quoted by the Deputy was to bring home again to those primarily concerned the rapid approach of the time when British goods will be competing more keenly on the Irish market. This is nothing new. It has been said on numerous occasions by various Ministers of the Government and was mentioned as far back as February, 1966, by the National Industrial Economic Council in their comments on the Free Trade Area Agreement.
I hope that my speech will have the effect of prompting people who have been slow in preparing for free trade to take the necessary steps now—including recourse to the various Government aids open to them.