asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware (1) of a slump in the shell-fish trade in lobsters, crayfish, etc., with France, (2) that it is now almost impossible for the French importers to obtain licences for import of Irish shell-fish, (3) that Irish exporters and fishermen have large supplies which they cannot dispose of, and (4) that because of French restrictions on foreign exchange, exporters have not been paid for supplies exported since last May; and if he will make representations to the French Government so as to prevent the collapse of the trade this winter with serious financial loss to the fishermen, the exporters and the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shell-fish Trade with France.
I am aware of the position to which the Deputy refers.
Owing to the present unsettled state of affairs in France, the normal licensing system was suspended in June last and importers have been largely operating under an emergency scheme. I am not aware that there are any large supplies held here awaiting export although I recognise that payments under the emergency licensing scheme for lobsters and crawfish have been held up pending the issue of regular licences expected early next month.
Representations of the strongest nature have been and continue to be made to the French authorities.
Notwithstanding these adverse circumstances, I am glad to say that our exports of shell-fish to all countries in the first seven months of 1957 reached £212,408, an increase of £52,771 over the corresponding period of 1956.
I can assure the Deputy that this trade difficulty continues to have my personal attention.
Deputy Dillon rose.
I suppose those were the Opposition shell-fish provided by Deputy Dillon.
Order!
I am talking about the shell-fish they exported this year.
When the Minister for Health ceases to stutter, I shall ask a very simple question. It is this: has the Minister had an opportunity of directing the attention of the French Government to the fact that when they made representations to us, they were vitally interested in continuing exports of French cheeses to this country? Though it conflicted with considerable force with important interests here, a concession was made in that regard to meet their urgent representations. In the light of that, would the Minister not consider approaching the French Government to discover whether or not they are prepared to make a parallel concession now to the Irish Government in respect of shell-fish?
I would inform the Deputy that all the characteristics of reciprocal trade between the two countries have been mentioned in connection with these negotiations and everything possible has been done to secure licences for the imports. I should say that the French Government has been reasonably helpful in providing advance licences, thereby enabling the trade to continue during the period in which the import quota was reduced, owing to the economic difficulties which that country experienced.
Has the Minister directed the attention of the French Government to the fact that we maintained this concession in respect of a commodity which they were particularly solicitous to export to this country, even in the presence of very considerable economic difficulties of a kind such as those with which the French Government is now so oppressed? In the light of that fact will be Minister ask the French Government whether or not they will be prepared to make a similar concession in regard to shell-fish for us? Perhaps the Minister for Lands is unaware of the fact that the French Government made special representations in respect of cheese and it was on foot of those special representations that special concessions were made to meet their case.
I am aware of the position.