asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the Republic as a base for factory and industrial development with a view to entry to the UK market will now become less attractive to present EEC countries and to Norway and Denmark on the establishment of the enlarged Community.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Development.
38.
One of the attractive features about Irish location for foreign industrial promoters is the fact that we have duty-free access to the British market. With Britain a member of the European Economic Community the six existing members will gain duty-free access to the British market for their industrial goods and to that extent this country will not have the same attraction for investors from these countries that it has at present. On the other hand, if Ireland becomes a member we will gain duty-free access to the much larger European market and this will provide an attraction for investors from all countries, both within the enlarged Community and elsewhere looking for a base for factory and industrial development.
Norway and Denmark, being members of EFTA, already have duty-free access to the British market for their industrial goods.