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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Mar 1988

Vol. 378 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Special Trading Houses.

60.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the recent ministerial announcement that trading houses will not receive any State aid he will clarify the role of An Córas Tráchtála in relation to the proposed trading houses in relation to (a) charges for service (b) trade missions and (c) market research.

As I have already indicated to the House, special trading houses will not receive any grant assistance from Córas Tráchtála (CTT). CTT will, however, be available to advise and assist special trading houses in their marketing activities on a fee basis.

I can confirm that CTT will, as regards special trading houses (a) charge for services rendered, (b) recover costs of participation in trade missions organised by CTT, and (c) charge for any market research commissioned from CTT.

Are Córas Tráchtála currently engaged in any activities which, as a result of the introduction of special trading houses, will also be activities which will be undertaken by those special trading houses? If so, is it the intention that Córas Tráchtála would withdraw from any area of activity henceforth to come within the competence of special trading houses? If not, what guidelines will he set out in order to ensure there is no duplication of activity or waste of efforts between Córas Tráchtála and special trading houses both attempting activities in the same area?

Córas Tráchtála are involved in the assessment procedure for the licensing of special trading houses. Therefore, they will have first-hand knowledge of developments in the area of special trading houses. I do not envisage any major duplication problem. There may be some small area — perhaps a group market scheme in that area which I will watch and see if we can iron out any problems arising as we proceed. I do not see any major difficulty and I believe they can perform a very central role in sponsoring our exports.

Can I ask the Minister if he has any intention of publishing, either annually or periodically in some way, reports on the activities of the trading houses either in the annual report of CTT or in any other form so as to ensure that the House is kept informed of the progress and also of any dangers of duplication?

I have already announced that I have established a trading house management unit comprising three senior public figures from the office of Trade and Marketing, ICC, and CTT. I will give consideration to publishing their views later on when we have made some progress in this area. The most important thing now is to get the scheme off the ground. Of course, I will report to the House from time to time and I will certainly undertake to keep the House as fully informed as is commerically advisable.

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