Vol. 406 No. 3
170 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the increased costs to users of Aspartame as a result of a provisional duty imposed by the EC Commission, he will immediately make representations and oppose this duty in the interests of (1) consumers and (2) fair competition.
172 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has assessed the effects which the provisional duty, imposed by the EC Commission on Aspartame, which is a sweetening agent with a wide range of applications in foods and soft drinks imported into the European Community, will have on industry and consumers in this country; and if he will make a statement on the position he proposes to adopt towards the duty at a later stage.
I propose taking Questions Nos. 170 and 172 together. Since the imposition of provisional anti-dumping duties in November last on Aspartame entering the Community, the US exporter — the Nutrasweet Company — have entered into discussions with the EC Commission. Until these discussions have been completed, it would be inappropriate to speculate on their possible outcome. I am satisfied, however, that the Commission, following the representations already made by member states in the matter, is taking all interests, including those of the consumer and Community industry, into account in its deliberations.
Before a Community position is finalised all member states, including Ireland, will be given a further opportunity to make their views known in this case. I can assure the House that, in considering the best approach to be adopted by Ireland in the matter, I will take fully into account the interests of both consumers and user industry here.
