asked the Minister for External Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a report of an intention to develop a trade in cattle from this country to South Africa; and if he will take steps to ensure that this country's commitment to an economic embargo against South Africa is maintained in the agricultural field.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Cattle Trade with South Africa.
4.
I have seen the report to which the Deputy refers.
There is no embargo on Irish agricultural exports to South Africa. The only ban on trade with that country is on the export of arms. We banned the export of arms when the Security Council of the United Nations called upon all States to impose such an embargo. As the Security Council has not yet acted upon the General Assembly's call for the imposition of universal mandatory economic sanctions on South Africa and the vast majority of States are continuing to trade with her, an Irish embargo on exports of cattle to South Africa would not prevent them reaching her through a third State.
The Minister states we have agreed with an embargo on arms being exported, but could the Minister indicate what arms we were exporting to South Africa before the embargo?
Water pistols.
If the Deputy is exporting arms of any kind from Ireland, he cannot do it legally.
Does the Minister know which firms were exporting arms in this country? I did not know we had any arms manufacturing industry.
This is the sort of adolescent quipping that should be beyond the Deputy.
I have refrained from making any reference to senescence. I am just inquiring whether any arms were exported by this country before the embargo?
The question relates to trade in cattle.
The Minister does not appear to know of any.
Question No. 5 postponed.