asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will outline the arrangements being made to secure the maintenance and orderly development of Anglo-Irish trade in agricultural products during the transitional period of EEC membership.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Anglo-Irish Trade.
26.
The Community have agreed to our proposal that the implementation of the transitional arrangements should not involve any reduction in the degree of freedom of trade already existing between this country and Britain as a result of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement. This is a matter of particular importance to us as the volume of our agricultural exports to Britain makes it essential that trade with that country should not be disrupted during the transitional period.
The Community side have also taken note of our interest in the British fat-stock deficiency payments so long as such payments continue to operate in Britain. At this stage it is not possible to say when those deficiency payments will cease.
As from the start of the transitional period both countries will have to adopt the Community's pricing and other arrangements for agricultural products. The detailed implementing arrangements for the changes involved, some of which will take place on a gradual basis, have yet to be settled.
Would the Minister say whether it is the case that the quota restrictions on a number of Irish products, such as butter and bacon, into the British market will disappear on 1st January, 1973, when we both become members? Will we have free access to the British market then? That is the crucial point of the question. I am not asking whether we will be worse off. I thought, perhaps, we would be better off in our trade with Britain eventually.
Last month the Community agreed that the transitional arrangements should not involve any diminution in the degree of freedom of trade resulting from the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement. As indicated in the reply, the Community also noted our interest in the British deficiency payments.
That is the point.
We cannot spend all evening on this question.
Sorry. The Minister should not repeat his answer but should answer my question, whether there will be removal of the quota restrictions. It is not a question of diminution, it is a question of giving us trade that we have not got. Will the quotas go on 1st January, 1973 or, if not, when?
The purpose of the Commission is to introduce a common price regime eventually but the details of it have not yet been worked out.
When will the quota restrictions go?
When the final details have been worked out it will be possible to say that with some accuracy.
Will they go as from 1st January, 1973 or not until the end of the transitional period? Can the Minister give a simple answer to the question?
That does not arise out of the question asked, a Cheann Comhairle.