asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement specifying the plans he has to publicise the implications of the Internal Market to industry.
58.
Written Answers. - Internal Market Industrial Implications.
41.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will outline the action he has taken to familiarise Irish industry with the implications of the Single European Market in 1992; and if he is satisfied with the response from Irish industry.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 58 together.
As part of the Government's national awareness and information campaign launched by the Taoiseach on 4 July, I have initiated a detailed awareness and information campaign for the business sector in consultation with the social partners including ICTU, CII, FUE and the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland. As part of that compaign I have, together with my colleagues, Séamus Brennan, Minister for Trade and Marketing and Seán McCarthy, Minister for Science and Technology, held 14 seminars in locations throughout the country.
An information pack has been made available to seminar participants which sets out in simple terms the changes which the completion of the Internal Market will bring for Irish business and the key proposals across a wide range of areas as set out in the Commission's 1985 White Paper "Completing the Internal Market". The information pack includes a special booklet on the opportunities and challenges for business which is available free of charge and to date 5,000 copies of this booklet have been issued.
At these seminars I have been accompanied by experts from my Department, the IDA, the Irish Goods Council, CTT, EOLAS and, in the mid-west region, SFADCo. The experts from the various bodies have made detailed presentations on the implications of the completion of the Internal Market from the perspective of their areas of operations and responsibilities and a number also organised special information stands in conjuction with the seminars. To date 2,500 people have attended the seminars which have attracted a very high degree of interest from business people throughout the country. Participants at the seminars have also been given the opportunity of follow-up consultations with Government Departments and State agencies.
I am continuing, with my Department and agencies under my responsibility, to participate in a range of seminars, workshops and conferences arranged by various business associations and other interests on the Internal Market. In addition, a special video on the implications of the completion of the internal market for the manufacturing sector has been finalised and will be available for distribution shortly.