Vol. 241 No. 11
asked the Minister for External Affairs whether any protests have been made to the British Government about the continuation of the import deposit scheme; if so, the nature thereof; and if he will pursue the possibility of obtaining exemption in respect of Irish goods.
61.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if any prior indication was received from the British Government that the import deposit scheme was to continue in force for a further year; and, if so, the date of such communication.
62.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if in view of the adverse trade balance with Britain, the Government will make representations to the British Government with a view to gaining exemption from the import deposit scheme or a substantial lowering of the rate payable.
63.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if he has received any reply from the British Prime Minister in regard to his request for a meeting to discuss the import deposit scheme and its effect on this country; and when such meeting will take place.
64.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if talks will take place with the British Government on the British import deposit scheme which has been extended; and if he will make a general statement on the matter.
65.
asked the Minister for External Affairs if protests to the British Government have been made consequent on Britain's decision not to abolish the deposits on Irish imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 together.
The extension of the British import deposit scheme will take effect on 5th December this year. The Government were advised of the British Government's intention to seek legislative authority to continue the scheme on 21st October, before the relevant announcement by the British Chancellor of the Exchequer in the House of Commons. The proposed extension of the scheme has been the subject of representations to the British Government and arrangements are being made to discuss the matter at an early meeting at official level which will be followed by a further meeting at ministerial level.
May I ask the Minister whether emphasis will be placed upon the possibility of getting an exemption for Irish goods or for some Irish goods in these negotiations?
The Deputy will remember that the Taoiseach met the British Prime Minister in London when this imposition was first announced in November, 1968, and he requested an exemption for imports from this country from the import deposit scheme. Mr. Wilson explained at the time that the scheme must be non-discriminatory and that is was impossible for them to exempt imports from this country or any other individual country. I do not think he will change his arguments at this stage. What we feel is wrong at this stage is that it has been continued beyond the period of time first envisaged.
In connection with Question No. 63, may I ask whether the Minister has made a request to the British Prime Minister for a meeting and, if so, if Mr. Wilson replied and what he said in his reply?
I have not requested a meeting on this subject with the British Prime Minister.
Then a former statement of the Minister's is incorrect. Is the Minister aware that the newspapers have published a report to the effect that he sought a meeting with Mr. Wilson and that we were awaiting developments? Can the Minister say if he has written to Mr. Wilson asking for a meeting on this matter?
The Deputy had better get me the newspaper concerned.
Did the Minister write to the British Prime Minister?
No, and I did not see that report.
The Deputy can write to the newspaper now.
In view of the fact that the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement has been broken by the British Government, is it not now time to call for a revision of it, or to have something done because of the fact that it is affecting our country so adversely with regard to imports from Britain far exceeding exports to Britain from this country? Is it not time to call for a revision of the agreement since they have broken it?
There have been at least two sets of meetings.
It is all one sided.
These meetings are two sided.
We are talking about facts and figures. The fact is that they have broken the agreement. What would happen if we applied something like this?
The Deputy is asking me should we not revise or review it.
We should now call for a revision of this agreement.
There have been meetings between Ministers from both countries and there will be further meetings.
This is the result of the meetings?
The meetings have taken place since the imposition.
How long before the announcement was made in Britain were the Irish Government informed of the decision?
It was on the same day.
That is the only notice the Government got?
That is usual.
