Written Answers. - GATT Negotiations.
Mary Harney
Question:
19
Miss Harney
asked the
Minister for Tourism and Trade
the latest developments in the GATT World Trade talks; the bilateral meetings he and other Government Ministers have taken in recent times to highlight Ireland's special interests; whether the Government will, in any circumstances, seek to veto an agreed stance by the European Community; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Michael Creed
Question:
20
Mr. Creed
asked the
Minister for Tourism and Trade
the extent of his involvement in the GATT negotiations to date; and the initiatives, if any, he proposes to undertake within the European Union and in the United States to secure a satisfactory outcome to the GATT negotiations.
Richard Bruton
Question:
22
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Tourism and Trade
the plans, if any, he has to enable Ireland to exploit the opportunities for more trade in services as a result of GATT; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:
27
Mr. Rabbitte
asked the
Minister for Tourism and Trade
his assessment of the current prospects for a successful conclusion of the GATT talks by the deadline of 15 December 1993, in view of the meeting between the European Trade Commissioner, Sir Leon Brittan and US Trade Representative, Mr. Mickey Kantor, in Brussels on 1 December 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Phil Hogan
Question:
39
Mr. Hogan
asked the
Minister for Tourism and Trade
if he will publish a study on the impact on the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
50
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Tourism and Trade
whether he has satisfied himself that current GATT proposals will not militate against the manufacturing sector in this country; if he intends to take any steps to encourage or assist the most vulnerable by way of concessions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:
53
Mr. J. O'Keeffe
asked the
Minister for Tourism and Trade
whether the GATT Agreement will be discussed at the European Council; and the attitude he will adopt on the issue.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 20, 22, 27, 39, 50 and 53 together.
Deputies will be aware that the Council of the European Union held discussions on the progress of the GATT negotiations on 2, 6 and 7 December 1993. These discussions were on the basis of reports from the European Commission on their recent meetings with representatives of the United States of America.
Commission and US representatives are now in Geneva continuing the negotiations in a GATT multilateral context. It is expected that the Council of Ministers will meet again, before the end of this week to further consider the position. Together with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, I represented Ireland at the Council meetings.
The current position in relation to agricultural issues in the negotiations was set out in the House yesterday in reply to questions to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Elements of the agreement emerging between the EU and the US in relation to non-agriculture areas also appear to address concerns that I have highlighted in the ongoing negotiations.
As a small open economy exporting over 70 per cent of its production, a stable world trade environment would be of considerable benefit to Ireland. The conclusion of a global and balanced Uruguay Round agreement would serve to create such an environment and would give a much needed boost to the world economy generally. Such an agreement could be anticipated to create opportunities for Irish industry to further develop its export potential. If these opportunities are grasped, the overall impact on industrial employment in Ireland will be positive.
Irish exports of services, whether incorporated in goods or delivered directly to customers, will gain from the expected buoyancy in world trade. Any projected gain in services exports relates, of course, to the vigour with which opportunities are pursued by service generators in all sectors and will be dependent on the maintenance of Ireland's competitivenessvis-à-vis alternative suppliers.
The Government is keenly aware of the importance of the services sector. It was for this reason that the Task Force on Jobs in Services was established and I expect that the report of that task force will give rise to a major focus on the systematic development of domestic and internationally traded services.
The intensive discussions which will continue in Geneva for the next week will determine not only the success or otherwise of the Uruguay Round, but also whether the world economy will continue to grow as it has for much of this century by opening up trade governed by multilateral trading arrangements. The alternative is to revert to all the negative practices of trade and protectionism. Our national interest as a member of the European Union is undoubtedly in continued growth on the world economy and I and my Government colleagues will continue to work tirelessly over the next week to ensure the achievement of our vital interests in this context.
