Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Mar 1995

Vol. 450 No. 8

Written Answers. - Ireland-Indonesia Trade.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

189 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the volume of trade between Ireland and Indonesia for each of the past five years; the restrictions, if any, in place on trade between Ireland and Indonesia; the proposals, if any, he has for further restrictions in view of the continuing human rights violations being perpetrated by Indonesia against the people of East Timor; and the various United Nations resolutions which have been passed in this regard. [6211/95]

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. E. Kenny)

The following table sets out the level of trade between Ireland and Indonesia over the latest five year period for which CSO figures are available:

Year	Imports	Exports	Total Trade
	(£000)	(£000)	(£000)
1989	12,383	3,894	16,277
1990	19,147	5,518	24,665
1991	20,441	7,573	28,014
1992	24,979	11,795	36,774
1993	30,834	11,504	42,338

Ireland's main exports to Indonesia in 1993 included milk powder, £4 million, followed by chemicals, £1.5 million, and food preparations, £1.3 million while imports included textiles and clothing, £11.3 million, and footwear, £4.2 million. There are no restrictions on trade between Ireland and Indonesia. The Tánaiste, in replying to Deputy Trevor Sargent on 20 April 1994, explained in detail why Ireland is not in a position unilaterally to introduce trade sanctions against Indonesia. On the issue of human rights in East Timor, I would refer the Deputy to the statement made by the Tánaiste in the Seanad debate on East Timor which took place on 8 March 1995.