Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 2

Written Answers - US Extraterritorial Legislation.

Tom Kitt

Question:

51 Mr. T. Kitt asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the open application of the Helms/Bruton Act in Ireland; and if his attention has been drawn to the contents of a letter to Cuba Aid, also known as the Cuba Health and Education Project, from the US Embassy which clearly shows an interference in the operation of an Irish relief organisation in its dealings with US enterprises operating in Ireland and which exposes the extraterritorial aspects of the legislation, which has been rejected by Ireland and by the EU. [8887/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Ireland's position, and that of the EU as a whole, regarding US legislation with extraterritorial effect is well known. To provide a comprehensive, effective and EU-wide protection for citizens and companies within the EU whose economic and financial interests are or are likely to be affected by such legislation, the Council of the European Union has adopted legal measures protecting against the effects of extraterritorial legislation adopted by a third country and actions based thereon or resulting therefrom. The Council regulation is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all member states. Each member state is responsible for determining penalties to be imposed in the event of breach of the regulation's provisions. Arrangements are in hand with regard to the preparation of the necessary measures.

I have not seen a copy of the letter referred to by the Deputy in his question and I am, therefore, not in a position to comment on its contents.