Jimmy Deenihan
Question:100 Mr. Deenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government has assessed the impact of tarriff-free access to the EC market for Sweden, Norway, Austria, Finland and Iceland on Irish exports.
Written Answers. - Non-Member Tariff Free Access to EC Market.
Under the terms of agreements signed in the early 1970s between the EC and Sweden, Norway, Austria, Finland and Iceland free trade in industrial goods has been in operation for over ten years. There has been no discernible adverse impact on Irish exports arising from this. In addition, over the period in question Ireland has enjoyed substantial trade surpluses with a number of EFTA countries.
Further liberalisation of the conditions of trade is planned in the context of the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA). This Agreement, which it is hoped will enter into force in July this year, effectively extends the Single Market to the countries listed by the Deputy. It does not, however, cover the bulk of agricultural goods. In the case of fisheries products a number which were of interest to Ireland have been excluded, alleviating concern about a possible impact on our exports.
Our assessment of the overall impact of the Agreement including in the trade area has been positive. This was made clear when it was debated and approved in the Dáil on 30 October last year.