asked the Taoiseach the value of imports from Eastern European countries of clothing, textiles and footwear for the past year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Import Statistics.
17.
In the 12 months ended June 1978 imports of clothing, textiles and footwear from Eastern European countries amounted to £0.1 million, £2.4 million and £0.7 million respectively.
18.
asked the Taoiseach the value of imports from the following Far Eastern countries: North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, China and Hong Kong, of clothing, textiles and footwear for the past year.
In the 12 months ended June 1978 imports of clothing, textiles and footwear from these countries amounted to £2.7 million, £6.6 million and £1.4 million respectively.
Could the Minister of State indicate whether his Department has any plans at all to curtail these imports in view of the increased unemployment?
That is a separate question.
Is the Minister of State satisfied or can he say whether the Government are satisfied that these imports are not in fact the result of dumping? Is dumping not the answer?
I might have my own views on that but the question is one of statistics which are obtained from the Statistics Office and so the reason for the importations would not be available.
Could I ask the Minister of State whether in fact he would refer the particular views he himself may hold to the appropriate authorities for investigation?
I can do that. I would point out in regard to the figure of £6.6 million in the case of textiles, this figure is a reduction on that of 1976.
Are the figures the Minister gave figures for direct imports?
I think they are.
Would the Minister not agree large quantities of both clothing and footwear are coming in through EEC countries from other countries and these are affecting the employment position in these industries here?
If a specific question is tabled I will get the information.
What the Deputy has just said would seem to suggest false statements of origin, would it not?
Are the figures the Minister of State has given an indication that the Government's campaign to buy Irish has not been as effective as the Government hoped it would be?
What campaign?
I have just said that the imports of textiles in 1977 were less than in 1976. We have not got the figures for 1978.
Does this mean the policy now is "bye bye" Irish?
The Deputy would be the best enunciator of that policy.
A clever remark.