asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what goods will be affected by the removal of duties by the British Government on 1st July next in respect of members of the European Free Trade Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Free Trade Association: Removal of British Duties.
28.
All dutiable goods except the agricultural goods, fish and marine products scheduled in the Convention of the European Free Trade Association, will be affected by the reduction of duties due to be made by the British Government on 1st July next in accordance with the terms of the Convention. The Deputy will appreciate that the Convention does not provide for removal of duties on 1st July next but for a reduction in rates of duty, to be followed at stages by further reductions until by 1st January, 1970, the duties will have been eliminated.
The position under which a wide range of our industrial products enjoy duty free entry to the British market is secured by the Anglo-Irish Trade Agreements. To the extent to which competing goods from EFTA countries are subject to duty on importation to Britain, Irish goods at present have a trade advantage. This advantage will be reduced by the duty reductions made on 1st July next and at further stages and will have been eliminated by 1st January, 1970.
Could the Minister say what the amount of the initial reduction will be?
The initial reduction is intended, I think, to be 20 per cent. There is some suggestion it may be increased to 30 per cent. in order to keep pace with the Common Market. I am not sure what has transpired in that connection.
Could the Minister say if his attention has been directed to the possible repercussions of this in respect of certain products? I have in mind particularly wallboard and board products generally.
Certain products have been indicated to the Department as being likely to be affected, and the situation in that regard is being closely watched.