asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the extent of this country's exports to Libya, in volume terms and in cash terms; the extent of this country's imports from Libya, in similar detail; the plans he has for expanding our trade with Libya; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Libyan Trade.
47.
I propose to circulate with the Official Report a tabular statement of Ireland's trade with Libya in volume and cash terms. This information has been provided to me by the Central Statistics Office.
In common with all export markets, my Department in liaison with CTT monitor the prospects for business in Libya. As appropriate, these are brought to the notice of exporters.
As the Deputy is aware, the Government decided that a proposed trade visit to Libya, due to have taken place this week, should not proceed.
Irish Trade with Libya £000 and Kgs. (000s)
|
Year |
Imports |
Exports |
Balance (E-I) |
|||
|
£000 |
Kgs.(000s) |
£000 |
Kgs.(000s) |
£000 |
Kgs.(000s) |
|
|
1980 |
310 |
42 |
66,996 |
76,963 |
+66,686 |
+76,921 |
|
1981 |
1 |
0.1 |
62,235 |
98,424 |
+62,234 |
+98,424 |
|
1982 |
11 |
16 |
39,424 |
53,928 |
+39,413 |
+53,912 |
|
1983 |
25,841 |
129,241 |
49,467 |
54,206 |
+23,626 |
–75,035 |
|
1984 |
14 |
4 |
37,287 |
45,329 |
+37,273 |
+45,325 |
|
1985 |
65 |
10 |
26,845 |
41,072 |
+26,780 |
+41,062 |
|
1986 |
351 |
5,195 |
29,911 |
34,059 |
+29,560 |
+28,864 |
|
Jan-Aug* '87 |
6,346 |
62,895 |
17,631 |
42,222 |
+11,285 |
-20,673 |
|
Jan-Aug '86 |
5 |
0.6 |
21,863 |
23,954 |
+21,858 |
+23,953 |
*August is the latest date for which volume figures and product categories are available.
Principal commodities traded in 1986
|
Imports |
£000 |
Kgs.(000s) |
|
Manufactured fertilisers |
346 |
5,194 |
|
Exports |
||
|
Live animals chiefly for food |
13,357 |
24,328 |
|
Meat and meat preparations |
4,135 |
3,580 |
|
Miscellaneous edible products |
8,767 |
2,238 |
|
Textile yarn fabrics and made up articles |
525 |
58 |
|
General industrial machinery |
2,557 |
757 |
Principal commodities traded in January-August 1987
|
Imports |
£000 |
Kgs. (000's) |
|
Petroleum and related products |
6,333 |
62,894 |
|
Exports |
||
|
Live animals chiefly for food |
4,537 |
6,470 |
|
Meat and meat preparations |
24 |
18 |
|
Dairy products and birds eggs |
668 |
540 |
|
Cereals and cereal preparations |
1,389 |
32,299 |
|
Miscellaneous edible products |
6,483 |
1,687 |
|
Essential oils perfume materials |
601 |
83 |
|
General industrial machinery |
2,619 |
733 |
|
Electrical machinery apparatus and appliances |
743 |
302 |
Would the Minister outline the nature of the communication sent to the various companies which were to go to Libya this week and the nature of the directives sent to those companies? Would he tell the House if a directive was given to Coras Trachtála Teoranta, the body responsible for promoting international trade, in recent weeks?
The position is that the Government took a decision not to proceed with the trade mission to Libya. Consequently Coras Tráchtála Teoranta did not proceed with the mission and no Government personnel went either. I understand some of the companies have gone or intend going, and that is their right.
With respect to the Minister, I am looking for information and nothing was divulged in his last response. Would the Minister inform me of the nature of the communication sent to Coras Tráchtála Teoranta as well as the nature of the communications sent to the companies making up the trade delegation which the Minister intended leading? Would he tell the House the Government's reason as given to the companies involved for not going ahead with this trade mission?
Approximately 25 companies which were anxious to join a trade mission to Libya contacted Coras Tráchtála Teoranta. Subsequent to recent developments the Government decided that the trade mission would not proceed. The Government statement was published for everyone to see. Coras Tráchtála Teoranta informed all the companies that there would not be a trade mission to Libya led by a Minister or by Coras Tráchtála Teoranta and that it was for each company to make their own decision. As I said, some companies have gone to Libya and others have not gone yet. The latest information I have is that these companies — I do not have the exact number — still intend going. That is for each company to decide.
I will try again. Did the Minister, as Minister for Industry and Commerce, communicate with these companies orally or in writing? Did he give the Government's reasons for reaching that decision? Is it now Government policy to encourage trade to and from Libya? Have the Government made a decision given the public activities of the Libyan Government against this State and the clandestine activities of Libyan nationals in this country? In view of all this, may I ask the Minister if the Government have made a decision that henceforth we should not encourage trade to or from Libya?
The answer to the first part of the question is no. It is not my role to contact individual companies. That is a matter for Coras Tráchtála Teoranta. As regards the second part of this question, I have no plans for a trade mission to Libya.
I am calling the next question.
A final supplementary, please.
There are a number of questions nominated for priority to be answered within the prescribed time.
I will try to be helpful.
I want to facilitate Deputy Spring but he must appreciate that other Members' questions must be answered and the Chair has an obligation to ensure they are answered.
I accept that but——
A brief supplementary, Deputy.
Given the brevity of the Minister's reply, it will not disturb the timetable. Would the Minister state if the Government have a policy in relation to trade with Libya? Are they still encouraging trade with Libya or otherwise?
I am afraid we are having repetition.
For the third time, I will answer the Deputy who does not seem to understand. The commercial activities of private companies trading with any other country are the concern of the companies. I have no intention of interfering with these companies or putting them at a disadvantage because this country depends so heavily on exports — two out of every three jobs depend on exports. Like every other State inside and outside the EC, private companies in Ireland have their own way of doing their commercial business and I have no intention of interfering with their right to do so.
That is a very dishonest answer because the Minister is responsible for Córas Tráchtála Teoranta.
I am calling the next question.
The Minister should at least be forthcoming on that.
Does the Minister encourage business with South Africa?
Let me inform the House that in respect of priority questions only the Deputies who put the question may ask supplementaries.
Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, but if Deputies want to put down additional questions I will be only too glad to answer them.