Vol. 450 No. 8
45 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the threat to Irish exports arising from the 65 per cent price increase in high impact polystyrene; and the action, if any, he will take. [5927/95]
183 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the threat to Irish exports arising from the 65 per cent price increase in high impact polystyrene; and the action, if any, he will take to protect exports. [5914/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 183 together.
As the Minister for Enterprise and Employment indicated in his reply of 15 March last to Deputy Killeen's question on the same subject, the price increase in this material is part of a worldwide increase in raw material prices generally. Consequently, because of the impact on producers globally, there is no reason to believe that this factor is likely to adversely affect the position of Irish exporters vis-à-vis their international competitors on world markets. However, the Minister for Enterprise and Employment has asked the industrial development agencies to monitor the situation and the feedback to date is that there is no crisis in the various sectors affected, with companies being able to pass on the increases to the end user. These agencies will continue to monitor the situation and will be available to advise and, where possible, assist companies who experience particular difficulties.
