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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Mar 1995

Vol. 450 No. 8

Written Answers. - General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

Máirín Quill

Question:

44 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the effect to date of the implementation of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in view of the agreement on the Uruguay Round package. [5996/95]

The Uruguay Round of trade negotiations concluded at the end of 1993 and the resulting agreement came into effect on 1 January 1995. The main changes agreed in the round were, first, an average 40 per cent reduction in tariffs to be phased in over about five years starting on 1 January 1995; secondly, an extension of the coverage of the rules to the new areas of services and intellectual property, as well as fuller coverage of agriculture and textiles; thirdly, a strengthening of the rules on matters such as dumping, subsidies and technical barriers to trade; fourthly, the introduction of an improved dispute settlement procedure; and, fifthly, the formation of the World Trade Organisation to implement the agreement.

While it is still early days yet, implementation of the round is expected to boost investment confidence and economic growth in all markets, including the European Single Market, and at the same time provide a stable basis for trade and a reduction in trade disputes. Continued improvements in Irish competitiveness should leave Ireland well placed to benefit from the anticipated buoyancy on world markets. In the case of sensitive sectors such as agriculture and textiles, the agreement is consistent with CAP reform already underway within the EU while extension of normal trade rules over a ten year period to textiles and clothing, including the abolition of EU import quotas from low-cost countries, should allow the industry sufficient time to restructure and take advantage of market opening by other countries.

The content of the Uruguay Round agreement and its effects in Ireland are summarised in a booklet entitledUnderstanding GATT and its effects in Ireland which was published recently and is available free of charge to the public. Copies have been distributed widely, including to colleges and public libraries, and to all the Members of the House.
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