I move:—
That the Seanad approves of the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between Saorstát Eireann and Portugal, signed at Dublin on the 29th day of October, 1929, a copy of which was laid on the Table of the Seanad on the 20th day of November, 1929, and recommends the Executive Council to take the necessary steps to ratify the said Treaty.
This motion, I think, is also non-controversial, the main purpose being to secure reciprocal most-favoured-nation treatment between the two countries. However, I suppose the Seanad, or some members, will desire a little more detailed explanation, and I will endeavour to supply it. The commercial relations between the Saorstát and Portugal have hitherto been governed by the provisions of the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between Great Britain and Portugal signed at Lisbon on 12th August, 1914. This Treaty was denounced by the Government of the Saorstát on 12th October, 1927, and the denunciation took effect as from 12th October, 1928. The Treaty has, however, been kept in force in the meantime by means of an exchange of notes, and it will be continued in force until the present Treaty is ratified. The present Treaty is based upon the principle of reciprocal most-favoured-nation treatment, and hence it ensures that the shipping and commerce of the Saorstát will receive in Portugal the treatment accorded to the most favoured foreign country. The Treaty consists of eight articles. Articles 1 and 2 provide for the mutual accord of most-favoured-nation treatment to imported goods. Article 3 reserves the position of the Saorstát in regard to preference accorded to any other member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Articles 4 and 5 relate respectively to the grant of most-favoured-nation treatment so far as concerns import prohibition and commercial travellers.
In Article 6 the Government of the Saorstát "engage to recommend to the Oireachtas any legislation that may be necessary in order to give effect to the provisions of this Article." A Bill has been already introduced in the Dáil in this connection, and has received a second reading. The provisions of this Article deal with protection for the wine products of Portugal and Madeira entering and for sale in the Saorstát market, and guarantee to the consumer of these commodities the genuineness of port and Madeira wine. Article 7 provides for the mutual accord of most-favoured-nation treatment to the mercantile marine of each of the contracting parties. Article 8 is a simple one, providing for the ratification of the Treaty and for the date of its coming into effect. The Portuguese tariff prescribes maximum and minimum rates of duty, the former usually being two or three times greater than the latter. Apart from the desirability of establishing commercial relations on an amicable basis between the Saorstát and foreign countries, this Treaty with Portugal is necessary in order to secure that Saorstát products entering that country are accorded the advantages of the minimum tariff and any other privileges obtainable under the most-favoured-nation treatment.