Peter Barry
Ceist:2 Mr. Barry asked the Taoiseach if the Government will issue a White Paper outlining the issues being finalised in the GATT negotiations and their possible impact on the various sectors of the Irish economy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - GATT Uruguay Round.
Until there is more significant progress in the current GATT Uruguay Round negotiations and some clearer indication as to their likely outcome in the unprecedently wide range of sectors concerned, I consider that publication of a White Paper would be premature and would serve no useful purpose at this stage.
Does the Taoiseach agree that the GATT talks, no matter how they are concluded, will have a profound effect on the CAP and consequently on the economy of Ireland?
Yes, that is the way things are shaping.
Does the Taoiseach not agree that this country more than any other in the Community depends on agriculture, seeing that 26 per cent of our exports are agricultural?
Not necessarily. We will certainly be affected, but to what extent remains to be seen.
I have a Private Notice Question asking the Minister for Industry and Commerce to produce a White Paper on the effects of the CAP reform on the Irish economy. It is not just agriculture which will be affected. One can see the downturn in cement sales because of the loss of farm income. Does the Taoiseach not agree that the Government should be preparing a plan for all eventualities so that if they look for compensation from Europe, as they are entitled to do, we will be better prepared and will know where to look for it and so on? The whole economy, not just the agricultural sector——
Let us proceed by question rather than by statement.
The whole economy, not just the agricultural sector and the Government, should understand the precise implications of the current reform in the GATT and in the CAP and that a White Paper is necessary to promote debate on this matter.
I do not agree that a White Paper at this stage will serve any useful purpose. As the Deputy knows, things are still in a state of flux. The negotiations practically broke down. It is difficult to anticipate the final outcome, if any, but I assure the Deputy that all the Departments concerned are very much aware of the major implications of these negotiations and are participating fully and co-ordinating their efforts. The entire resources of the State are being effectively brought to bear on the negotiations.
In view of the Taoiseach's reluctance to publish a White Paper — and, I presume, by extension a Green Paper — will he indicate, having regard to his assertion that the Government Departments are well briefed on the implications of the current state of negotiations, whether the Government are prepared to fully brief the Opposition in this House or the Central Revenue Committee of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, in view of the major implications for the outturn of the economy in 1991?
Certainly if the Central Review Committee make a request the information will be supplied; Members of this House have the opportunity, through Dáil questions and in other ways, to elicit as much information as possible.
Deputy Barry rose.
I was hoping to have finality in regard to this question.
Will the Taoiseach agree that for the public benefit some study should be made of the possible effects on the economy of the GATT and CAP negotiations? Will he also ask the ESRI to conduct a study into this matter to see what benefits there are in GATT reform? However, there is a very big downside in the reform of CAP consequential on the reform of GATT.
We know all that but it is still at a very formative stage. On one side we have a major vested interest in ensuring the success of the GATT talks because we live by our exports and we are totally in favour of the maximum possible amount of international free trade. On the other side of the coin there is pressure, mainly from the United States, for a completely new regime in regard to agriculture, particularly in regard to agricultural exports. We must keep both those aspects in mind and we do. The situation in the European Community, as the Deputy knows, has been a protracted one and the position of the Community in the negotiations has been very widely publicised. However, when you are in negotiations like that it is not always a very good idea to publish white papers, green papers, yellow papers or whatever and tell everybody concerned what your ultimate objective is. There is such a thing as being reasonably cautious when you are in tense negotiations.
Will the Taoiseach agree that it would be a very good idea to tell the people with whom we are negotiating — and to quantify authoritatively — the effects on our economy of these changes and to use the study as a basis for getting a better deal for Ireland, which would be very laudable?
We are having an element of repetition.
I am not sure that I understand the Taoiseach's reluctance. Am I correct in summarising the position of the Government as knowing all the facts but not being prepared to share them with the Opposition and that if the trade union and social partner members of the CRC ask for the information in private they might be told?
No, that is not the position. If there is a change in the weather The Opposition want the Government to publish a White Paper or, alternatively, to have a judicial inquiry. It is either one or the other. There is a kind of knee-jerk reaction over there but we have to deal with the negotiations.
I am sorry, this is a democracy.
They are very complex and serious negotiations and the situation changes day by day. However, we are fully aware of all the consequences for this economy — and country — of the developments taking place. We do not need to publish a White Paper——
Does the Taoiseach not think he should share the information with the rest of us?
If Deputies want any information about them they can put down Dáil questions and we will give them all the information which it is safe and prudent to disclose at this stage of negotiations.
I put down a question and it was transferred to the Minister for Agriculture and Food.