asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are any regulations arising from our membership of the European Community which preclude the Irish Government, semi-State bodies, or industries in the Republic from entering into agreements for the provisions of (a) factories for the processing of fish and food, (b) other infrastructural amenities such as harbours, or (c) when financially suitable terms are agreed, other facilities where needed to expedite efficiency leading to further expansion of trade.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Factory Facilities.
16.
I am not aware of any such regulations arising from our membership of the European Communities.
Is the Minister aware that each of the proposals in the question—mostly employment-creating peoposals—were offered to Gaeltarra Éireann and that the Soviet trade mission received a letter back from Cathal Mac Gabhann saying that because of restrictions imposed under the EEC he was not permitted to avail of any of these offers? Is that correct?
That is not correct. There are no EEC regulations whatever deterring Ireland from doing business of the kind suggested by the Deputy. I might tell the Deputy that the main reason these trade matters have not progressed is that the actual business terms offered by the Soviets were not considered good enough.
Could the Minister persuade this man in charge of Gaeltarra Éireann to give that as the reason rather than the specious, spurious, misleading and untrue reason he has given in his letter?
I would certainly not encourage anybody in Ireland to do bad business.
They should tell the truth when they write letters.