asked the Minister for Agriculture the assurances given by him at a recent meeting to representatives of the Irish dairy industry in relation to New Zealand cheese imports to the EEC.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Cheese Imports.
8.
I informed representatives of the dairy industry at a meeting on 2nd November, that, in my view, the terms of Protocol 18 to the Treaty of Accession specify clearly that the special concessions for imports of New Zealand cheese into the United Kingdom terminate at the end of this year.
There is a subtle difference here. The Minister is quoted as having given an assurance that no further exports of New Zealand cheese will take place. Can I take it that what he says is equivalent in full to an assurance that no New Zealand imports will take place?
I give the Deputy a total assurance that the attitude of the Government to any extension of the conditions of Protocol 18 will be resisted with every means at our disposal.
I am not asking the Minister the attitude of the Government. I have no doubt that the attitude of the Government or of any Irish Government would be to resist any such imports. I am asking if the Minister will give a categorical assurance that any such imports will not take place?
I am sure the Deputy realises that imports of this nature are not made under the auspices of the Irish Government but rather under the European Commission who are bound by Community law just as we are. The Community law says that the importation of New Zealand cheese will cease on 31st December. We will abide by that holding and we will resist any attempt made by any member of the European Community to change it.