asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if he is aware that certain companies (details supplied) have announced plans to close their Irish operations because of the substantial quantities of tyres being imported from non-EEC countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers . - Imported Tyres .
599.
: I do not accept that the threatened closures referred to have been brought about by the import of tyres from non-EEC countries.
One of the companies has been engaged in the remoulding of tyres, an activity which latterly has been affected by the development of long-life tyres. The other company is a distribution company owned by a major tyre manufacturer.
In the former case I understand that the company had been taken over by another company in a similar line of business and that the decision to close down results from a rationalisation of the remoulding activities of the new owner. In the other case, I understand that the decision to close is part of a rationalisation of distribution activities. Several distribution centres in Britain owned by the same company have already been closed down.
600.
asked the Minister for Industry and Energy (a) if he will give details of the volume of imported tyres for the latest 12-month period for which figures are available; (b) the increase in imports over the previous 12-month period; (c) the selling price of imported tyres; and (d) the action he proposes to take to protect the remaining tyre companies in this country.
: Imports of motor car tyres in the year ended 31 December, 1982 amounted to 705,563 tyres. This represents a decrease of 61,600 tyres over the year ended 31 December 1981. I do not have information as to the selling price of imported tyres.
In the light of the difficult trading conditions internationally for tyre manufactures, my Department and the IDA are keeping the position of the existing manufacturers under close review. Since the bulk of the aggregated production of these two factories is exported, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be unrealistic to contemplate measures to protect these companies in respect of their home market sales.
As the bulk of these imports are from EEC member states, we would be contravening EEC obligations were we to introduce protective measures in this area.