asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the industries which have been most seriously affected in an adverse manner since the introduction of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement.
94.
I assume the Deputy's inquiry relates only to industries affected by the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement.
Since the agreement came into effect on 1st July, 1966, it has been necessary to take special measures, with British agreement, in three cases. The products concerned were motor tyres, baker's yeast and candlewick material. In all cases, the difficulties have now been overcome.
Following the review conducted under Article 1 (5) of the agreement, discussions have also been opened with the British authorities concerning a number of industries, which have encountered, or are threatened with, difficulties as a result of the operation of the agreement. Details have been published of interim action taken in certain cases. It would not be desirable to publish any additional information about the industries under discussion until these discussions are completed.
Is the Minister still of the opinion that the agreement has nothing to do with the closure of a number of boot and shoe factories, including some in my own constituency which are threatened with closure?
To say "nothing to do with" is going too far.
It has something to do with the closures?
On that basis one would assume that if the agreement is affecting the boot and shoe industry, as the Deputy suggests, it should have the result, technically, of closing all of our boot and shoe factories.
It has closed quite a few of them.
There are other factors involved. All the blame should not be put on the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement.
But it is a factor.
It is an indication of my awareness of that that special arrangements in respect of this industry have been made for the time being.
95.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state in respect of the most recent date for which figures are available (a) total employment in manufacturing industries, (b) total employment in food processing industries whose products are not subject to free trade with the UK under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement, (c) total employment in the jute industry whose products are not subject to free trade with the UK under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement, (d) total employment in the motor vehicle assembly industry, excluding vehicle repair work but including industries directly dependent on motor vehicle assembly and (e) total employment in industries whose products are re-protected under the terms of the recent interim arrangement concluded under article 1.5 of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement.
In regard to (a) the figure has been estimated at 198,700 in December, 1970, which is the latest period for which figures are at present available. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the figures requested at (b) but it has been estimated that the total employment in food manufacturing establishments engaged solely or mainly in the production of such foodstuffs as are affected was 38,800 in December, 1970. In regard to (c) it is not possible to furnish the information requested as disclosure of the figures could reveal information about either of the two firms in the industry. With regard to (d) it is estimated that 7,500 were employed in December, 1970 on motor assembly excluding vehicle repair work. This figure does not include industries directly dependent on assembly as these particulars cannot be specifically identified. As regards (e) the information is not readily available and I am arranging to have a special examination carried out with a view to providing the Deputy with as much information as can be made available.
96.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will report on the negotiations on the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement and on the year of review section of that agreement.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 52 on 1st July, 1971 in which I reported on the negotiations with the UK Government under Article 1 (5) of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement and on the interim measures which have been agreed. There is nothing further I can add, at this stage, to the reply then given.