asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state the attitude of the Government to the decision of the council of O.E.E.C. at its 270th meeting concerning measures designed to aid exporters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - O.E.E.C. Council Decisions.
Mr. Lemass
The Government has adhered to the decision of the council of O.E.E.C. concerning measures designed to aid exporters which was adopted at the 270th meeting of the council on the 14th January, 1955.
Mr. Lemass
asked the Minister for External Affairs if the Government has yet completed its examination of the questions requiring consideration in connection with the decision of the council of O.E.E.C. concerning the extension and stabilisation of trade, and if he will make a statement in the matter.
The Government has adhered to the decision concerning the extension and stabilisation of liberalisation of trade adopted by the council of the O.E.E.C. at its meeting on the 14th January, 1955.
Prior to this decision, member countries, including Ireland, had agreed to liberalise, that is, to remove quantitative restrictions on 75 per cent. of their total imports on private account from other member countries, calculated by reference to trade in 1948 and 60 per cent. at least of their imports on private account in each of the three groups: (1) food and feeding stuffs, (2) raw materials, and (3) manufactured goods. The recent decision requires that these percentages should be increased to 90 per cent. and 75 per cent. respectively. If any member country considers it necessary to withdraw these increased measures of liberalisation, owing to balance of payments difficulties or for reasons of national importance or equity, it may do so on notifying the organisation of the reason for its action.
The decision will be reviewed by the council at the end of 18 months after which any member country will be free, without notifying the organisation, to withdraw the increased liberalisation measures taken thereunder.
Mr. Lemass
Can the Minister say if the Government's adherence to these decisions will involve any early revocation of existing quota Orders?
I do not think so, because, as the Deputy is probably aware, we had, in actual fact, liberalised up to over 90 per cent. prior to this decision, but had notified only up to 75 per cent.