asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the difficulties experienced by prospective buyers of Irish manufactured Christmas cards in obtaining adequate supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Christmas Cards.
71.
I have had no direct complaints in this matter but I am informed by the National Development Association that surveys carried out by them and oral complaints made by visitors to Aonach na gCartaí revealed that difficulty had been experienced in obtaining Irish Christmas Cards.
Irish publishers of Christmas cards have adequate production capacity to meet full home market requirements. Separate trade statistics for Christmas cards are not available but the fact that exports of all types of greeting and picture post cards are over three times the value of imports, demonstrates that the Irish firms are producing acceptable cards at the right price. Nevertheless wholesalers and retailers, in spite of exhortations to the contrary, promote the imported products. I understand that orders for imported Christmas cards are placed about this time of the year. I urge very strongly that buyers should rely to a far greater extent than formerly on the domestic product.
Would the Minister accept that, if the "Buy Irish" campaign is to be properly orchestrated, there is an obligation on his Department to guarantee the products will be available? Thousands of people were frustrated last Christmas going from shop to shop and being told they could not have Irish Christmas cards.
I agree with the point the Deputy is making. We cannot prohibit the importation of Christmas cards. Neither would it be desirable to do so. Our exports are three times our imports and that shows that we are well able to manufacture these cards. It is really a matter for decision by the public and the importers. The importers purchase their requirements at this time of the year whereas the retailers do not purchase their requirements until the autumn. What we should do is urge the purchasing public, particularly block purchasers, to buy early in the autumn and to buy Irish cards. If block purchasers do not buy Irish cards early they will be forced to take British cards. The co-operation of the public and early purchasing are very important.
May I take it that there is a market for Irish produced cards, which are as good as the best, and that the Department will do whatever can be done towards orienting purchasers in the direction of the home produced card rather than the imported one?
Indeed, yes.
There seems to be a remarkable scarcity of Irish made greeting cards for weddings and so on. Perhaps attention would be turned to that aspect also.
I will make a note of that.