asked the Minister for External Affairs if in view of the fact that the United Kingdom is trying to regain her lost market here for coal exports he will consider the advisability of negotiating a long-term agreement with Britain for the export to that country of live stock contingent on coal being imported here at a more reasonable price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coal-Cattle Agreement with Britain.
25.
Exports of live stock and other products to Great Britain and imports of British goods are regulated by the terms of the Anglo-Irish Trade Agreements of 1938 and 1948 and of arrangements made thereunder, and the development of trade between the two countries is kept under constant review. I do not consider that the circumstances referred to by the Deputy would warrant re-negotiation of the agreement. There is no official control over the importation of coal from any source and it is not proposed to introduce such control.
The Minister, no doubt, appreciates that our trade agreement is terminable on six months' notice on either side. Does he not think the present opportunity a good occasion to make a long-term agreement to help to produce stability in the sale of farm products, in view of the fact that Britain is making every effort imaginable to regain her lost market here for coal, which loss was due, of course, to overcharging?
Let them reduce the price.
Trade between the two countries is kept under constant review, as I told the Deputy.
They would rather buy from Russia.
I appreciate the Minister's reply, but does the Minister not think that it would be a good idea to have a longer period than six months, for the purpose of stability?
It is not considered necessary at the moment to change the existing agreement.