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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 Nov 1971

Vol. 256 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish-American Trade.

25.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs what action he has taken in the last six months with the American Government in the matter of increasing trade between the two countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

26.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to the American Government concerning the recently imposed surcharge on imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Question Nos. 25 and 26 together. Where barriers to trade expansion with the United States exist, advantage is taken of every appropriate occasion to press for an end to them.

The deep concern of the Government at the introduction of the US surcharge on imports has been conveyed to the US authorities. We have urged that this restriction be removed at an early date. In the last six months specific approaches have been made to the US authorities in respect of their quota restrictions on beef, sugar, sugar confectionery, stainless steel flatware and cheese.

By whom was this made and to what authority in New York?

It was made through Governmental channels by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

By the Ambassador?

They have been made to the US Tariff Commission— a responsible State agency.

By the Minister for Foreign Affairs through the channels open to him.

Has the Minister made an estimate of the damage done to Irish exports to America and what action does he intend to take to offset the surcharge on Irish exports?

This is an arbitrary action which has been taken by the US Government with regard to every other country in the world including Ireland.

What steps have been taken to offset the surcharge?

We have made appropriate representations to the proper authorities in the United States.

That is a ridiculous answer. The Government has done absolutely nothing.

How much money is involved in this surcharge?

That is not asked for in the question and I do not happen to have the precise figures here.

The Government knows nothing.

But the Minister has some figures.

Is the Minister aware that other countries whose exports to the United States have been damaged by the imposition of this surcharge have made available public moneys to aid the competitiveness of the industries so damaged? Is any similar action contemplated by the Government to help the people damaged by the imposition of this surcharge?

In order to allay some misconceptions that might arise I should say that major Irish exports are not affected at all. These are quota exports which include beef, which came to the level of £14 million in 1970, chocolate crumb £1.7 million in 1970 and dairy products £.4 million in 1970. These were the major export items to the United States and they are not affected by the surcharge at all.

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