asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the value of exports to the other member countries of the EC in the most recent year for which figures are available; how this compares with the value in 1980, adjusted to inflation; and if he will make a statement on the trend indicated.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Export Value.
8.
Merchandise exports to the nine other member countries of the EC amounted to £3,089.6 million in 1980 compared to £6,377.9 million in 1985, the latest year for which figures are available. This represents an increase of 113 per cent or about 20 per cent when adjusted for inflation taken at a rate of 78 per cent.
Our merchandise exports to the eight continental EC member states during this period rose from £1,325.8 million to £3,366.4 million, an increase of 153.9 per cent or over 40 per cent adjusted for inflation. Merchandise exports to the UK increased from £1,763.8 million to £3,211.5 million in the same period, an increase of 2 per cent adjusted for inflation.
It is clear, therefore, that within the EC there has been a shift in our exports away from the UK to the rest of the EC. This trend is part of a general and very welcome pattern of diversification of our exports. In 1980 the distribution of Irish exports worldwide was;
|
UK |
(42.7%) |
|
rest of EC |
(31.7%) |
|
other European countries |
(6.6%) |
|
North America |
(6.6%) |
|
other industrialised countries |
(1.4%) |
|
Members of OPEC |
(4.4%) |
In 1985 comparable figures were:
|
UK |
(33%) |
|
rest of EC |
(34.6%) |
|
other European countries |
(7.4%) |
|
North America |
(11.6%) |
|
other industrialised countries |
(3.5%) |
|
Members of OPEC |
(3.9%) |
respectively.
Overall I welcome the growth and, just as important, the diversification of exports which reduces undesirable dependence on any particular market and, at the same time, represents the realisation of new opportunities.
With the exception of the UK, we increased our share of each of the EC markets during the period in question.
The UK market is at present the object of a special export drive by CTT.
Does the Minister agree that, notwithstanding some increases in exports to the EC area, the level of our exports would be considerably more were it not for continuing protectionist measures by some of those EC countries? Has the Minister any information which would enable him to monitor what is going on whereby some of our exports are being adversely affected by protectionist measures, harsh measures, making difficulties for certain exports to some EC countries? What are the Department doing about that?
This is a matter for internal markets. It is of great concern to us that the White Paper on internal markets envisages the complete opening of EC countries' internal markets by 1992. We have been very active in the EC to ensure that EC countries will follow the lines suggested in the White Paper. The main obstacles to the freeing of the internal markets are standards which have been established in some countries and which act as barriers to trade.
Other areas about which we are very concerned relate to Governments' purchasing policies which deflect from competitive attitudes to imports from other member states and certain customs procedures that act as barriers. We have been able to make some progress in a very limited area through standards mechanisms. We hope to make more progress in relation to Government procurement and customs procedures. We were able to get a document on this passed last year. This is a very complex matter in which the Department are deeply involved with the EC. I support the thrust of the Deputy's suggestion.
Does the Minister agree that these technical barriers——
The Deputy will agree that this is a very wide subject and would not be suitable for teasing out at Question Time.
It arises directly from the question, which refers to the expansion and development, or otherwise, of our exports to the EC which are crucial to our employment. Does the Minister agree — apparently he does — that these technical standards are just one of the ruses being thrown up against us as a barrier to the export of our goods to some EC countries? When we look around in our shops and market places and see them flooded with goods imported from those selfsame countries, do we operate standards in like manner which would operate to protect some of our more vulnerable industries? What is sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander. Would the Minister not agree that the most effective way to counter that sort of unlawful activity by those EC countries would be to give them back like for like?
I do not agree. This is a very vital element of our international trading policies. The figures I have given reflect a successful drive by us within the EC, and throughout the world by Irish companies. Indeed, it is an indication of the success of Government policy in regard to Irish industrial exports. I do not agree that we should start protectionist measures. We depend very much for our standard of living on trading with other countries. We are committed to being a free trading country and if we start protectionism you may be sure that the bigger trading countries will do likewise.
That does not help with our employment situation.
The Deputy can be assured that the bigger nations could do a switch also and do our export drive enormous damage. I cannot agree with the thrust of the Deputy's remarks about protectionism. That policy will not be pursued by this Government.