asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if any progress has been made by the four working parties set up by the European Confederation for the Footwear Trade consisting of representatives from his Department and the EEC; and if the Irish industry is represented on any of these working parties considering the problems of (a) foreign trade and the granting of preferential tariffs to certain non-member countries (b) raw material supplies and the signing of supply agreements with countries producing raw hides (c) social problems and the intervention by the European Social Fund to assist the vocational training of workers in the footwear industry and (d) technological development and the provision of assistance to increase productivity in existing firms.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Footwear Industry.
29.
The working parties referred to by the Deputy are composed of representatives of the EEC footwear and tanning industries and of the EEC Commission. They do not include representatives of Government Departments. The interests of the Irish footwear and tanning industries are represented through their membership of the European Confederation. I am not in a position to comment on the activities of the working parties.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.