With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
I set out in my reply to a question by Deputy O'Hara on 28th October the outcome of the negotiations in so far as the continuation of our scheme of export tax reliefs is concerned. The position which has been clearly established—that the export tax reliefs are necessary for our economic and industrial development and that we can continue them—is based on my intensive discussions with the Community on 19th October, the understandings reached then and the agreement on the text of the proposed Protocol.
As regards the reference in my statement to the Community on 19th October to commitments in relation to export tax reliefs, the position established is that firms in respect of which commitments had been entered into at the time of the completion by the Commission after accession of its examination of our industrial incentives, will continue to benefit from export tax reliefs for the full period of entitlement under existing legislation.