asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if it is expected that a new multi-fibre arrangement will be negotiated; and, if not, whether he is aware of the extreme anxiety and concern expressed by the Apparel Industries Federation in relation to the clothing and textile industry in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Renewal of Multi-Fibre Arrangement.
1.
The current multi-fibre arrangement (MFA) expires at the end of July 1986; discussions on whether it should be renewed opened on 23 July last under the aegis of the GATT Textile Committee and are continuing. The EC Commission, on behalf of the Community, made a declaration at that meeting supporting the renewal of the MFA. I am hopeful that, arising out of the GATT discussions, the MFA will be renewed.
I can assure the Deputy that I am fully aware of the anxiety of the Apparel Industries Federation about the renewal of the MFA. In this regard, I would draw his attention to the reply which I gave to Dáil Questions on 13 June 1985 relating to its renewal and also to Report No. 17, dated 31 July 1985 of the Fourth Joint Committee on the Secondary Legislation of the European Communities, which recently examined the MFA.
Is the Minister in a position to give any indication as to when the negotiations referred to might conclude?
Not at this stage. The arrangement expires at the end of July 19863 and I hope that a new MFA agreement will be in place. I was responsible for the negotiations of the present MFA. Negotiations were very complex and difficult and, apart from the GATT position, they involved quite a number of bilateral agreements between countries. Ireland has taken a position of strongly urging the renewal of the MFA taking into account the protection that we need of our industry.
Realising that the market share of low cost developing countries and State trading countries is far greater in the clothing and textile sector than in any other trade sector, will the Minister assure the House that, in the negotiations at which we will be represented, the proposed liberalisation measures being propounded by Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands will be resisted in the interests of our textile industry in which we have lost something in the region of 10,000 jobs in recent years?
Our textile and clothing industry employs about 25,000 people which is approximately one in seven jobs in the manufacturing sector. In the course of the negotiations we will take every possible step to protect the Irish position. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that the MFA arrangement is in fact a derogation from the normal GATT rules. We are in favour of a new MFA and will continue to ensure that the necessary protection for the Irish industry will be forthcoming.
Do I take it from what the Minister said that we will strongly resist the liberalisation measures being propounded by other nations to protect the competitiveness of our remaining textile industry so that we will not further endanger what is left?
The Deputy will be aware that in international negotiations each country takes up a stand to suit itself. That will be the case with regard to our position. We will take a stand that will be the most favourable possible to protect Irish jobs and in the context of being able to conclude a new MFA agreement. This is a complex negotiation still at a very early stage. Our position will be maintained throughout.
Could I ask one final supplementary?
I am satisfied from what has been said to me and from what I hear that there is a general desire among Deputies that more progress be made at Question Time and that it is not in the interests of Deputies in general that so many questions should go for written answer each day.
I concur with the Ceann Comhairle's view but I am not asking these questions in the interests of Deputies but in the interests of the textile industry.
I have no doubt that the Deputies conveying their views to me have the general interest of their constituents and the country in mind when they are forming those opinions.
Just one further supplementary. In view of the Silberston report which advocates a gradual phasing out of import restrictions under a new MFA, will the Minister assure me that the situation with regard to our industries will be carefully considered?
The Deputy can be assured that the interests of the Irish apparel industry will be to the fore in all our negotiations on the MFA. The negotiations are at a relatively early stage, but the Deputy can be assured that throughout the negotiations our stand point will be to protect the Irish industry.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed.