andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to a report that Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann, Teoranta, has refused to deal in Cuban sugar because of the deterioration in relations between Cuba and the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cuban Sugar.
41.
I have no statement to make on the report mentioned, which does not concern my Department.
I do not wish the Minister to interfere in the commercial dealings carried out by a State company, but is he aware that the failure to close a barter deal between Cuba and this country has been represented by Mr. McCormack in the American House of Representatives as being part of a goodwill gesture—a form of economic sanction carried out with the approval and consent of our Government against the Dr. Castro Government in Cuba? Could I ask the Minister whether this was a political decision carried out with the consent of the Government?
I am informed that economic considerations were in the main responsible for the decision of the Sugar Company not to import sugar from Cuba.
The Minister says that economic considerations were "in the main" responsible. Could I ask the Minister whether political considerations were in any way involved in this decision? Have the Government taken upon themselves the decision to apply economic sanctions in the smallest way against Dr. Castro and the present Cuban Government?
There is no question of the Government taking any decision to impose sanctions on anybody.
Further arising out of the Minister's reply Mr. McCormack stated——
(Interruptions.)
We should be the last country to start interfering in other people's affairs.