asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he has any proposals to counteract the high level of imports of consumer goods.
Written Answers. - Imports of Consumer Goods.
160.
Excessively high imports of consumer goods always give cause for concern and serious attention must always be given to ways for dealing with them. However, proposals to counteract imports must have regard to our commitments under international agreements. As far as our membership of the European Economic Community is concerned, this means that we cannot unilaterally place restrictions on imports from other member states. It means also that proposals for restrictions on imports from third countries must be considered on a Community basis and with due regard to trading relations with those countries. In the same way Ireland's exports are protected against import restrictions by other states.
As a trading nation, we are in favour of freedom of trade and would propose counter action only where there is unfair competition and there is a serious threat to our industries or where the adverse effects on our balance of trade would be intolerable.
Specific action has been taken, in co-operation with the European Commission, to reduce imports of footwear. Agreements concluded between the European Community and third country suppliers of sensitive textile and clothing products under the Multifibres Arrangement provide for quota arrangements and it is expected that this should help to stabilise the rate of import penetration by third countries into the market in the Community and into the Irish market.
On the general level, the Government's three-year programme for the promotion of Irish goods and services is aimed at obtaining an improved balance between Irish products and competing imports.