asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has studied the ramifications of the United States Trade Act of 1974 whereby imports of goods from over 156 countries will be allowed into the United States duty-free and arising from which exports from this country to the United States will be particularly disadvantaged; and if he has taken any steps to seek similar concessions from the United States.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - US Trade Act.
14.
The United States Trade Act, 1974 provides, inter alia, for a scheme of generalised tariff preferences whereby most industrial goods and selected agricultural and primary products imported from developing countries will be admitted into the United States free of duty up to certain volume limitations. It is expected that the scheme will come into operation towards the end of 1975.
It is not possible to make a clear assessment of the effects of the scheme on Irish exports to the US at present because precise information on the product coverage of the scheme is not yet available. However, a preliminary assessment suggests that Irish exports to the US will not be adversely affected to any significant extent.
Ireland is precluded from being designated as a beneficiary country under the US scheme by virtue of certain provisions of the Trade Act. The Deputy will be aware that since 1st January 1972 Ireland has extended generalised preferences to developing countries and is thereby a donor rather than a recipient of such preferences.
Is the Minister aware that this question has been on the Order Paper for the last three weeks and, in view of that, does it not seem rather extraordinary that the Minister should say here today that it has not been possible to make a detailed examination of the effects?
I did not say that.
The Minister said he was unable to get any idea of the manner in which this would affect exports from this country?
I would ask the Deputy to refer to the transcript to see if that is a fair representation of what I did say.
The Minister reads out his reply and we have to take it in as best we can. Is the Minister really genuinely satisfied that this Trade Act will not seriously affect exports to the US from this country? Is he aware that there are a number of industries which will be seriously affected? Representations have already been made to his Department in this regard over two months ago, and are any steps being taken by the Minister through diplomatic channels with a view to seeing if we can get a generous system of preference in regard to a number of items, particularly chemicals?
I am dependent on the advice of good professionals whom I trust and CTT are monitoring this situation continuously. What I said was:
It is not possible to make a clear assessment of the effects of the scheme... at present...
This is not because of any default on the Irish side but because the details are not available in the United States, and I indicated that a preliminary assessment of good professionals whom I trust "suggests that Irish exports to the US will not be adversely affected to any significant extent."
The Minister says CTT are monitoring the effects——
Not the effects, the situation. I said the working out of the details of the US Trade Act as the details become available is being continuously monitored by CTT and by my Department.
I am calling Question No. 15. I have allowed Deputy Lalor a number of supplementaries.
This is only my third supplementary. The Minister has been talking about efforts being made to promote exports. There is an export market in the US for our commodities and products and this market is being closed by the Trade Act. Is the Minister aware that there are a number of chemical firms here competing with exports from Spain and Israel to the US, and while those countries will get preferential treatment in that they will not have to pay duty, duty will be charged on chemical products imported from this country? Does the Minister propose to do anything about that?
Our situation is not the same as that of Israel, and it is being continuously watched. As the Deputy knows, we are members of the Community. If I am advised that intervention at any level, including ministerial, is desirable I shall certainly intervene. We are monitoring continuously.
Gobbledegook?
If I give the Minister personally evidence will he look into it?
Certainly.