asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the levies, if any, Ireland has imposed on imports from fellowmembers of the EEC over the past eight years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Import Levies.
11.
Levies on intra-Community trade, in the sense of customs duties or measures having an equivalent effect, are forbidden under the Treaty of Rome. Accordingly in the course of Ireland's transition period customs duties were progressively abolished.
However, the Act concerning the conditions of accession and the adjustment of the Treaties provided for protective measures by new member states in the event of difficulties which were serious and liable to persist in any sector of the economy or which could bring about serious deterioration in the economic situation of a given area. Between July 1975 and 31 December 1977 Ireland, with the agreement of the European Economic Commission, took such protective measures by increasing the tariffs on certain footwear imports.
In view of the serious unemployment problem, is there need for further protection in the form of levies?
This matter is kept under constant review. If the need arises it will be done. The matter is being closely watched.