asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the difficulties being created for manufacturers of materials for the building industry by the growth of imports; and, if so, the action he proposes to take.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Building Industry Materials.
20.
There is a wide range of goods which are classified as materials for the building industry. The Deputy has not specified the particular goods about which he is concerned and it is, therefore, not possible to give a specific reply to his question.
I have received representations regarding difficulties caused by the importation of some building materials. As regards action which might be taken in this regard, the Deputy will appreciate that we have been moving gradually into a free trade situation. In common with most other industrial goods practically all building materials are now free of import duty on importation from the United Kingdom in accordance with the provisions of the free trade area agreement. A similar position will obtain next year in case of goods imported from the European Economic Community.
Because of the obligations arising from the free trade area agreement and our membership of the EEC and the GATT there are severe restraints on our freedom to interfere with legitimate trade.
The Parliamentary Secretary should be aware that many of our manufacturers are producing materials for the building industry and, if imports are allowed, many of our manufacturers will be forced out of existence. Who monitors or compares prices as between imported materials and home produced materials? Many of our manufacturers are satisfied that the products they produce are competitive from a price and quality point of view but, unfortunately, imported materials are being used instead.
There would have to be proof of unfair competition before action could be taken at EEC level to curb the imports in question and such unfair competition would have to be established quite clearly. It is not enough that one manufacturer outside the country happens to have lower costs for different reasons as compared with a single manufacturer here. That would not be a ground for seeking to take action under Article 5 to curb imports.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that Irish manufacturers are satisfied that Government agencies have used imported materials which, from the point of view of price, would be less competitive while the home produced materials would have been very competitive?
I would be very glad to have information from the Deputy on specific complaints, particularly from the point of his reference to the fact that Irish manufacturers were competitive from the point of view of prices. I shall be very grateful if he will supply me with that information.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary——
A very brief supplementary question now, please.
——agree that appeals to buy Irish have failed in this field?
The Deputy will appreciate that under EEC procedures State purchasing must also be on a non-discriminatory basis. That is one of the requirements with which we undertook to comply as a result of membership of the EEC. I am, however, interested in the Deputy's point that in cases of which he has knowledge the price of the Irish manufactured materials was competitive with that of the imported but the latter were chosen. I should like to have that investigated further on receipt of the requisite information from the Deputy.
I will supply it certainly.