andMr. Enright asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism the action he proposes to take to avoid job losses in the food manufacturing industry as a result of increased food imports by multi-national companies.
Written Answers. - Food Manufacturing Industry.
26.
My Department have had discussions with representatives of some of the major multi-national concerns in the grocery trade and have impressed on them the need to purchase Irish produced foodstuffs. Further discussions with representatives of these or other similar concerns will be arranged as necessary. The Irish Goods Council are also conducting a very active campaign aimed at increasing the level of Irish foodstuffs purchased and, to this end, have arranged a number of promotions with retailers including the larger retailing outlets to encourage the sale of Irish produced grocery products. In addition, IDA grant assistance has been available to Irish food manufacturers for the development and re-equipment of their plants to enable them to become more competitive and thereby avoid job losses arising from import competition or otherwise. It has to be borne in mind that freedom to restrict imports is constrained by our international commitments and obligations.