Máirín Quill
Question:15 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if the Government intends to mount a dynamic Buy Irish/Sell Irish capaign in the run up to Christmas.
Written Answers. - “Buy Irish” Campaign.
In 1982, the European Court of Justice found that involvement by the Government or any of its State or semi-State agencies in the promotion of "Buy Irish" type campaigns was inconsistent with our obligations under the Treaty of Rome. That judgement rules out any reactivation of a State-supported promotional campaign.
Buy Irish campaigns are being organised by private groups and companies, such as Guaranteed Irish Limited. While these promotional activities help to remind Irish consumers of the direct link between supporting Irish goods and building employment at home, I believe that import substitution can best be achieved through Irish firms being in a position to compete successfully with imports in terms of price, quality, product development and delivery performance. The extensive services and expertise of the State agencies are available to assist Irish industry in this regard.