Vol. 414 No. 5
69 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps which have been taken to ensure the smoothest possible transition of Irish industry to the Single European Market; whether there is any aspect of the Single European Market which may have repercussions on existing Irish industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In 1988, my Department began an internal market information campaign directed at all business sectors. Seminars on the challenges, the opportunities and the implications of the completion of the Single European Market were held at 16 locations throughout the country. A total of 10,000 copies of a Departmental booklet on 1992: the Opportunities and the Challenge for Business were circulated and a number of leaflets on specific business topics were also prepared and circulated. In addition, information packs on business development generally, on domestic and export market implications and on technology and standards implications were prepared and circulated by the agencies under the aegis of my Department.
Since then, I and my officials have continued to keep Irish industry informed of new developments. In particular, as is the usual practice of my Department when specific measures under my responsibility are being negotiated, the views of the relevant industrial and commercial interests are sought and subsequently taken into account in formulating the national position.
Earlier this year the Minister for Trade and Marketing hosted a series of seminars, in seven regional locations, entitled Countdown 92 which focused on the marketing challenge which will be presented by the completion of the Single European Market.
My Department's agencies for their part ensure that the requirement and demands of the Single Market are fully taken into account in their ongoing relationship and dealings with Irish companies. For example, in the case of An Bord Tráchtála a key focus of the organisation is the growth and integration of Irish business in the internal market. To that end, considerable additional resources have, with the support of the Structural Funds, been allocated to the marketing support area since 1989. These resources are being targeted on programmes, such as ABT's regional markets and targeted marketing consultancy programme which are geared to improving Irish firms ability to compete in the Single European Market.
