asked the Taoiseach whether the Government are aware of the increasing competition on the home market arising from the entry of a greater amount of British goods with the consequent prospect of the close-down of Irish firms; and whether in view of the postponement of Irish entry to the EEC a meeting will be held with the British Government to seek a longer period for the reduction of tariffs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Goods on Irish Market.
1.
The provision in the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement for the gradual elimination of tariff protection is designed to afford Irish manufacturers an opportunity to prepare for increasing competition in the home market from British goods. The effects of this competition can be and are being offset by increasing exports of Irish goods. There is also, however, provision in the Agreement for steps which may be taken to protect employment where special difficulties are encountered as a result of its operation. I do not consider it necessary to seek any general variation in the period for the elimination of our protective tariffs.
Is the Minister aware that since 1962 we reduced our protective tariffs by 40 per cent and that by the end of next year undoubtedly Irish industry will be suffering a very severe squeeze from increased competition of British exports in the home market? In view of our entry into a larger free trade area, would the Minister agree that he should hold urgent consultations with the British Government to delay and postpone the growing unemployment in Irish industry as a result of this Agreement?
I would not agree that such a course is necessary. The Deputy is aware of the grants made available for industries that can increase their exports—grants for new machinery, for the re-equipment of factories. The Deputy is aware of our retraining and redundancy schemes, and is aware also of the anti-dumping provisions that have been made the subject of legislation, and also the speeding up of the work of An Córas Tráchtála. He is also aware of the provisions under the Free Trade Area Agreement which make it possible for the Government to negotiate with the British Government in cases of special difficulty. Finally, he should be aware that our exports to Great Britain have increased very markedly without, until now in any event, any marked increase in imports from Great Britain.
Is the Minister aware that there is growing unemployment in Dublin and other urban centres, and that representatives of this House have no place to suggest these workers should go in search of work? Is the Minister aware that, disregarding the components of the increased exports to Britain, unemployment is undoubtedly on the increase, and in this serious situation, would this Government consider renegotiating with the British Government, in view of the bad effects this Agreement is having on employment in Irish industry?
I have already answered the Deputy.
Has the Minister any information as to the number of firms, if any, who have made an approach to the Department of Industry and Commerce in regard to what they regard as increasing and unfair competition arising out of British imports to this country?
That is a separate question.
I do not think it is a separate question. Is it a fact or not that some Irish industries have made an approach with regard to unfair and increasing competition?
The Minister for Industry and Commerce dealt with all that recently.
I do not think that negotiations have taken place in connection with unemployment.
Unemployment does not arise on this question.
In any case, the increase in exports was only made up of cattle.
There are in the pipeline at the moment some 26 new industries.
Question No. 2.