asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any examination of the effects of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement on employment is in progress.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Anglo-Irish Trade Agreement.
45.
As indicated in my reply to a question on 16th December, 1970, a review is, at present, being conducted in my Department, in accordance with the provisions of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement, to determine whether any difficulties involving an appreciable rise in unemployment in any sector of industry or region have occurred or are threatened following the removal or reduction of protection in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
Can the Minister say if this examination is confined solely to his Department or are other Departments concerned?
No, it could not be confined solely to my Department.
Can the Minister say whether or not any consultations are taking place with those engaged in various sectors of industry?
Discussions are being held continuously between officials of my Department and people engaged in all sectors of industry.
Can the Minister say whether those consulted have expressed approval or disapproval of the terms of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement as related to their own industries?
There have not been any direct discussions with people in industry on whether they are favourably disposed towards the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement, but the examination going on at present in relation to the effects of the agreement would of necessity need to incorporate discussions of the type envisaged by the Deputy before a report could be made to me.
Have they expressed satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement as it affected them?
I have not that information.
That is vital information. The Minister ought to visit a few factories around the country.
What does the Deputy mean by "them"?
Industrialists.
All industrialists?
Yes.
Does the Minister have figures of the numbers now employed as compared with those employed at the commencement of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement?
That does not arise from the question.
That is a separate question.
On a point of order——
There is no point of order, Deputy; it does not arise.
The question asks "whether any examination of the effects of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement on employment is in progress".
I am calling Question No. 46.