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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 8

Written Answers. - Multi-Fibre Agreement Renewal.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

37 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will give details of the Government's policy in relation to access to markets both in Ireland and in the EC as a whole for Third World producers of textiles and clothing; and if the Government will be proposing changes in the Multi-Fibre agreement which is now up for renewal.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

141 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the Government's policy in relation to access to markets in both Ireland and the EC as a whole for Third World producers of textiles and clothing; and if the Government will be proposing changes in the Multi-Fibre agreement which is now up for renewal.

Peter Barry

Question:

142 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the campaign being conducted by Comhlámh in Ireland to facilitate fairer access to the EC market for Third World producers of textiles and clothing; if he intends to support this campaign; and, if so, the way in which he proposes to do so.

Richard Bruton

Question:

143 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will give details of Ireland's approach in the upcoming renegotiations of the Multi-Fibre agreement, particularly in relation to market access for Third World countries.

I propose to take Oral Question No. 37 and Written Questions Nos. 141, 142 and 143 together.

The EC is party to the Multifibre Arrangement, generally referred to as the MFA, which regulates access to the Community market for textiles and clothing from Third Countries. Ireland has obligations under the MFA by virtue of its membership of the Community.
The MFA, as a derogation from general GATT rules, has been in operation since the early seventies and has been renewed on a number of occasions since them.
The latest position is that, in accordance with the mandate given by the Council of Ministers, in October 1992, agreements have been concluded with many supplier countries for the next two to three years or until such time as eventual agreement is reached overall, on the Uruguay Round.
Ireland and the Community are fully aware of the obligations to provide special treatment and market access for least developed countries which is taken fully into account in agreements with these countries. For example, Bangladesh is dealt with as a least developed country and is treated in a very favourable way by the Community in the agreement signed in mid-December, 1992. There are no quota limits in this agreement but a number of sensitive categories is subject simply to surveillance.
I am aware of the campaign being conducted by Comhlámh in Ireland, and that a similar campaign is being conducted in other member states. The objective of this is to facilitate access to the EC market for Third World producers of textiles and clothing.
I have received many representations in this regard. In addition, officials from my Department have met with representatives of Comhlámh and explained the matter in detail to them.
I have taken careful note of the points made by Comhlámh and can assure the Deputy that these will be taken into consideration in the context of Ireland's input into the determination of overall EC policy in relation to clothing and textiles in the future.
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