asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that many articles of clothing on which the country of origin is not marked are for sale in Irish shops; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Marking of Clothing.
47.
The law does not require that a mark of origin should be shown on Irish manufactured goods on sale in Ireland. Imported goods which carry a mark that could suggest Irish origin—such as the name of an Irish trader or an Irish place name— must, however, carry an indication of origin. Specifically in relation to clothing imported men's and boys' outer garments, knitted and crocheted clothing and hosiery must carry an indication of origin. I presume that the clothing to which the Deputy refers either was Irish made or, if imported, did not fall within the categories to which I have referred.
I referred to imported goods on which there was no country of origin marked, and if the Minister was aware that there was an Irish brand name on them instead. Do the officers of his Department make spot checks? Is it possible for a firm to sell foreign made goods and to put a brand name on them without showing the country of origin?
There are a number of matters involved here. Enforcement is at two places: first, by the customs authority at the point of entry and secondly, there is no routine checking by inspectors of my Department but there is occasional spot checking. This is carried out particularly as a result of information or complaint received or where there is an allegation of breaches of the Merchandise Marks Act. We would be happy to receive this information because this is not done routinely. In regard to Irish manufactured products the National Development Association have a stylised shamrock which indicates Irish origin. I would urge Irish manufacturers to use this and Irish purchasers to insist on it because this is a voluntary mechanism of identifying the products. The core of the answer may be that the products may lie outside the categories in which origins must be indicated. I will be happy to investigate a particular case if the Deputy would communicate with me.
Is the Minister aware that there are goods coming into this country from the UK which originated in non-EEC countries and it does not suit to have the markings on them? This is a serious matter.
I am aware that there is evasion and relabelling and that it is a serious matter. We are using the inspectorate to check on this as well as the check at the point of entry. I would be happy to co-operate with Deputies who provide me with specific instances.
Is the Minister aware that certain stores in Dublin are not pushing Irish goods and when they are asked for them they refer to them in a derogatory manner? I can give the Minister an instance where this happened to me yesterday. Could he ask the Dublin Chamber of Commerce——
That is a separate question.
I realise that, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, but in these circumstances, this is very important. Would the Minister ask the Dublin Chamber of Commerce to see that this is not done in the stores under the control of their members?
This is not part of my functions but I will be happy to pass on the Deputy's remarks with my own endorsement.