Vol. 402 No. 7
24 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will give an assurance that recent developments in the GATT negotiations will not militate against Irish industry; if he has satisfied himself that the present proposals, if adopted, will not limit in any way the benefits envisaged in the Single European Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
34 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will outline his views on the manner in which negotiations on GATT are taking place; if he will give an assurance that the anticipated benefits of the Single European Act and the Internal Market will accrue to this country; his views on whether industry in Ireland is likely to be placed at a disadvantage in the event of the adoption of current proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 34 together.
The Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations was launched in September 1986 to reinforce the multilateral trading system and to combat protectionist pressures. It is scheduled to conclude in December of this year.
The negotiations are organised into 15 different groups dealing with different aspects of multilateral trade. All participants may table negotiating proposals in the individual groups. Ireland's membership of the European Community determines our participation in GATT as part of the EC voting bloc. The Community has submitted detailed proposals for new trade rules affecting industry in all of the areas under negotiation.
I am satisfied that Ireland has had ample opportunity to contribute fully to the development of these proposals through Community procedures, and in particular through the Article 113 Committee which co-ordinates the Community's overall policy at the highest official level, and through the Council of Ministers who decide on the actual negotiating mandates for the Commission in each area.
Throughout, it has been an Irish objective that the internal liberalisation to be achieved by the Single European Act and the completion of the Internal Market will be reinforced by the achievements of the Uruguay Round in opening up wider international markets for our exports.
