asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the occasions over the last ten years when this country has introduced (invoked) trade sanctions; the countries involved; and the duration of the sanctions in each case.
Written Answers. - Trade Sanctions.
130.
Since 1972, Ireland has joined with her Community partners in imposing trade sanctions against the Soviet Union, Iran and Argentina. In addition, Ireland has complied with relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council concerning South Africa and Rhodesia. Security Council Resolution 418 (1977) prohibits the export of arms and related material to South Africa. Security Council Resolution 252 (1968) provided for trade sanctions against Rhodesia and was in force until the end of December 1979 following the independence settlement for Zimbabwe.
In response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979, the EEC Council of Ministers decided on 15 January 1980 that, while respecting traditional tradeflows, Community exports of agricultural products to the USSR should not directly or indirectly replace US exports affected by an embargo introduced by the US Government. Following the suspension on 24 April 1981 by the US of its embargo on grain sales to the Soviet Union, the Community lifted its restrictions on agricultural exports to the Soviet Union.
After the seizure of the 50 American hostages by Iranian students on 4 November 1979, and the imposition of sanctions against Iran by the US on 7 April 1980, the Foreign Ministers of the Nine decided to impose sanctions against Iran if no progress towards the release of the hostages was made by 17 May 1980. On 22 May 1980 Ireland applied economic sanctions against Iran. These sanctions were removed on 23 January 1981, following the release of the hostages.
On 10 April 1982 the Ten decided, in the wake of the invasion of the Falkland Islands by Argentina and Argentina's refusal to comply with Resolution 502 of the United Nations Security Council, to ban all imports of Argentine origin into the Community. This decision was implemented through a Council Regulation of 16 April 1982, which expired on 17 May 1982. Ireland decided not to continue sanctions after this date but took steps to ensure that the measures which were maintained in force by our Community partners until 22 June 1982 were not circumvented.
On 21/22 February 1982, in view of the Soviet responsibility in the imposition of material law in Poland and the continuation of the martial law régime despite Community protests, the EEC Foreign Affairs Council decided that economic measures should be taken to demonstrate the Community's disapproval of the Soviet attitude. A regulation was accordingly adopted on 15 March by the Council of Ministers (Finance) restricting the import of certain products from the Soviet Union to the Community during 1982. This regulation remains in force.