Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 8 May 1991

Vol. 408 No. 1

Written Answers. - Confectionery Imports.

Jim Higgins

Ceist:

120 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will give details of the value of confectionery imports to this country for years 1988, 1989 and 1990; and whether there are any plans for an import substitution drive in light of the above figures.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. O'Kennedy)

According to information provided by the Central Statistics Office the value of confectionery imports for the three years in question was as follows: 1988, £125 million; 1989, £128.2 million, 1990, £138.6 million.

The IDA strategy for the Food and Drink Industry 1988-1992, through which Government policy for the industry is being implemented indicated in relation to flour, sugar and chocolate confectionery that the authority will promote projects which are aimed at displacing clearly defined imports of these products. I understand that in pursuance of that policy the authority are currently having discussions with a number of companies who are considering investing in the domestic confectionery industry.