asked the Taoiseach the total value of (a) imports from and (b) exports to France during 1970; the adverse trade balance with that country; and what efforts the Government are making to increase exports.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trade with France.
3.
The following are the particulars required in regard to the year 1970:
|
Imports |
£21,151,284 |
|
Exports |
£13,535,620 |
|
Import Excess |
£7,615,664 |
As the Deputy is no doubt aware the Government, through Córas Tráchtála, have made a wide range of grants, incentives and other services available to exporters and these apply to exports to France. As part of its range of services, Córas Tráchtála maintains an office in Paris. In the Embassy in Paris an officer is assigned full-time to trade promotion work.
The efforts made to expand our exports to France have met with considerable success in recent years. This is evident from the increase which was achieved between 1967 and 1970 during which period the value of our exports rose from £6.5 million to £13.5 million.
Will the Taoiseach not admit that our promotional efforts are failing in the last two years? Will he not further admit that 7,000 people have lost their jobs in industry in the last year, that there are over 68 hotels for sale at the present time and that other industries are on the verge of bankruptcy? Could I inquire what the Government are doing about this adverse trend in our economy?
I hope I never admit any of the Deputy's assertions are right.
The Taoiseach never admits anything even when it is staring him in the face.
Could the Taoiseach say if any effort has been made to influence the French to keep the market open for Irish lamb?
That is a separate question. We cannot discuss the whole economy on this question.
The question asks what efforts the Government are making to increase exports.
That is a matter for another Department. This is a statistical question.
The question refers to exports to France?
We have bilateral agreements with France which are renegotiated frequently and every effort is made through these negotiations.
Question No. 4.
On a point of order. I want to raise the point whether there is such a thing as a statistical question on which we cannot ask a supplementary?
Yes, there is. If the supplementary questions are not relevant they are out of order.
That is a different point.
This question relates to exports to France. Lamb is one of our principal exports to France, and the Taoiseach did not reply to Deputy Clinton's supplementary.
I have replied to Deputy Clinton's supplementary.