asked the Taoiseach whether trade between this country and Britain was adversely affected by political events in Northern Ireland during the period 31st January, 1972, to 31st March, 1972; and, if so, to what extent.
5.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Anglo-Irish Trade.
4.
asked the Taoiseach the total exports to and imports from Britain each year for the past three years; and the action being taken by the Government to reduce the adverse trade balance.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.
The following are the figures for our merchandise trade with Britain in the past three years and the first three months of the current year:
|
Imports |
Exports |
Import Excess |
|
|
£million |
|||
|
1969 |
290.0 |
200.0 |
89.2 |
|
1970 |
322.4 |
235.3 |
87.1 |
|
1971 |
347.6 |
288.6 |
59.1 |
|
January-March |
|||
|
1972 |
91.3 |
77.1 |
14.2 |
Deputies will note the favourable trend. In view of this trend no specific measures are under consideration by the Government at the present juncture to reduce the trade gap. If Northern Ireland figures are included the deficit on merchandise trade last year at £19½ million was almost £40 million less than for Britain alone while a surplus has been earned on total trade in goods and services with Britain and Northern Ireland in recent years.
Is the Taoiseach aware that in 1967 and in 1968 the figure was less than £40 million? It was double that in 1969-70 and it was still a lot higher in 1971?
Is the Deputy treating like with like?
I think so. Do the figures the Taoiseach has given include imports from and exports to the Six Counties?
Yes, if the Deputy will read the latter figure I gave.
Then I am treating like with like.
If the Deputy will examine the figures he will see that the import excess in 1969 was £89.2 million and that in 1972 it was £14.2 million. That is a big downward trend.
In 1969-70 the figure was double that for the previous year.
There were a lot of capital goods imported in those years.