Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 4

Written Answers. - Importation of Newspapers.

John O'Donoghue

Question:

18 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the efforts, if any, which are being made within his Department to ensure that Ireland does not become a point for import dumping, as in the case of English papers being dumped after the collapse of the Irish Press Group plc. [10794/95]

Tony Killeen

Question:

183 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the efforts, if any, which are being made within his Department to ensure that Ireland does not become a point for import dumping, as in the case of English papers being dumped after the collapse of the Irish Press Group plc. [11016/95]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 183 together.

As Minister for Tourism and Trade, I do not have any statutory authority to restrict the importation of newspapers into Ireland from Britain.

Ireland is a part of the European Union Single Market, within which goods and services move freely. Member states may not restrict the movement of goods within the Union, except on the grounds specified in Article 36 of the Treaty establishing the European Community. Restrictions under Article 36 are only possible on narrow grounds such as the protection of health and public morality. Any unilateral action by the Government to restrict the importation of newspapers into Ireland from Britain or elsewhere on the grounds of "dumping" would be illegal and would inevitably lead to infringement procedures being taken against the State by the EU Commission.

Action to counter alleged anti-competitive behaviour may be instituted under Articles 85 and 86 of the EU Treaty by the EU Commission. I understand that my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, has already advised the National Newspapers of Ireland that, if they are of the opinion that the pricing of UK newspapers sold in Ireland constitutes anti-competitive behaviour, they are free to make a complaint to the EU Commission.