asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement with respect to EEC policies in relation to (a) merger control (b) dumping practices (c) the co-ordination of State aid to regions (d) consumer protection and (e) restrictive practices and the abuse of dominant positions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Industrial Policies.
50.
The following is the position in relation to the several parts of the Deputy's question—
(a) The draft EEC regulation on concentrations is still under discussion by a Working Party of the EEC Council. It proposes to give the Commission power to declare certain very large concentrations to be incompatible with the Common Market. I consider the present draft proposals acceptable in principle subject to certain reservations in matters of detail.
(b) EEC Regulation 459 of 1968 refers to control of dumping into the Community from Third Countries. New Member States may take action under national legislation in certain circumstances, until 30th June, 1977.
Article 136 of the Treaty of Accession provides for investigation and action by the EEC Commission on intra-Community dumping. Article 137 allows Ireland to take unilateral action, until 31st December 1977, in cases of extreme urgency but the measures may be modified or abolished by the Commission.
(c) Discussions are still proceeding regarding the question of harmonising State aids to industry in the different regions of the EEC. Everything necessary will be done to ensure that adequate provision is made for the industrial development programme of this country.
(d) The Community is in the course of drawing up a programme of action to be taken by it or by Member States for the protection of the consumer. The programme is very comprehensive, but is in very general terms and will not assume a precise form until action is further advanced. I have indicated my general concurrence in the proposed programme.
(e) Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty of Rome contain the basic rules of the EEC regarding restrictive practices and the abuse of dominant positions. The implementation of those Articles has not given rise to any great difficulties for this country and I do not anticipate any such difficulties.