Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 1969

Vol. 243 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural and Industrial Employment.

5.

Mr. Corish

asked the Taoiseach how the Irish agricultural labour force and industrial employment compares with the position in each of the EEC countries; and how membership in the near future would affect this position.

The Taoiseach

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate, with the Official Report, a tabular statement setting out the information sought in the first part of the question.

Having regard to established trends throughout Western Europe, it is reasonable to assume that employment in agriculture in this country will continue to fall after our accession to the Community. It is not possible to quantify the changes that would occur in this regard but in view of the more favourable environment for agriculture that membership of the Community would bring, it is expected that the declining trend in employment in agriculture would be less than if we remained outside the Community.

I am confident that employment in industry would continue to rise after our accession. Membership would provide a stimulus to new industrial development and to the expansion of existing industry, which would have the benefit of improved conditions of access to a large rapidly growing market.

Following is the statement:

Persons in civilian employment in 1968

(Source: EEC General Statistics, 1969)

Country	Persons (Thousands)	Percentage Distribution
Agriculture, forestry and fishing	Industry	Services	Total	Agriculture, forestry and fishing	Industry	Services	Total
Germany	2,630	12,479	10,756	25,865	10.2	48.2	41.6	100.0
France	3,108	7,607	8,714	19,429	16.0	39.2	44.8	100.0
Italy	4,257	7,890	6,727	18,874	22.6	41.8	35.6	100.0
Netherlands	352	1,830	2,213	4,395	8.0	41.6	50.4	100.0
Belgium	201	1,622	1,783	3,606	5.6	45.0	49.4	100.0
Luxembourg	17	63	59	139	12.2	45.3	42.5	100.0
Ireland	301	315	445	1,061	28.4	29.7	41.9	100.0