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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 7 Nov 1991

Vol. 412 No. 3

Written Answers. - Sanctions Against South Africa.

Peter Barry

Ceist:

90 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is proposed to drop the sanction against the importation of fruit and vegetables from South Africa.

Peter Barry

Ceist:

126 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Government propose to lift sporting and trading sanctions against South Africa.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

127 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline his views on the removal of remaining sanctions against South Africa.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 126 and 127 together.

Irish policy on sanctions is formulated having regard to developments in South Africa and to consultations within the Community. The basis of the community's approach is one of gradual review of its restrictive measures as the process of change in South Africa is carried forward towards the total abolition of apartheid and the creation of a united, democratic and non-racial South Africa.
Deputies may recall that, in the light of the positive developments which had taken place in South Africa, the European Council in Rome in December last year reviewed the restrictive measures against South Africa introduced by the community in 1986. These were (a) a ban on new direct investment in South Africa, (b) the suspension of imports of gold coins and (c) of imports of certain iron and steel products.
The European council decided to lift, with immediate effect, the ban on new direct investment, so as to contribute to combating unemployment and to improving the general economic and social situation in South Africa. The lifting of the other two measures was made contingent on legislative action by the South African Government to repeal the remaining pillars of apartheid. Some months later, following the tabling of draft legislation to this effect in the South African Parliament in February 1991, the Community agreed to lift the two remaining 1986 measures. This decision, however, has not yet been given effect, as it is the subject of a Parliamentary reserve entered by one member state. Since the Community decision, the end to statutory apartheid was formally confirmed by the South African Parliament at the end of June.
In line with these developments at Community level, and conscious of the need to be responsive to the important reforms carried through so far in South Africa, the Irish Government have moved also to ease our national restrictions in the trade field. This is in accord with the indications given to the House by the Taoiseach, following President De Klerk's visit to Ireland, that the Government would review all aspects of policy, in line with progress in South Africa towards a pluralist society and the total abolition of apartheid.
Accordingly the Government now no longer discourage private sector trade. However, restrictions remain in certain sectors, such as military and security co-operation. The Government have also decided to rescind the ban on the import of South African fruit and vegetables, introduced in 1986. Deputies will already have notice of this by the publication and laying before both Houses of the Oireachtas of the relevant Order on 1 November 1991.
As regards the public sector, restrictions which operated to preclude any trade by semi-State and public sector bodies with South Africa have also now been eased. They are now permitted to engage freely in trade with South Africa, subject of course to any relevant continuing sanctions. However, the Government believe it would be premature at this stage to countenance the establishment of any official offices in South Africa, orvice versa. These measures are intended to prepare the ground for the time when the new South Africa comes into being, and normal trading relations can develop.
With respect to sports, the European Council in Luxembourg in June 1991 decided to support the principle of renewing sporting contacts with South Africa at international level on a case-by-case basis, where unified and non-racial sporting bodies have been set up.
With a view to improving dialogue with the South African authorities and to discussing with them matters of concern to us, contacts at official level take place periodically. Contacts are also being maintained with representatives of the majority community.
As I have stated, we are committed to a gradual review of the pressure maintained by the Community and ourselves on South Africa. This can only take place, however, against a background of further substantive progress towards the objective of a new South Africa, in which all her people enjoy common and equal citizenship, where respect for universally recognised human rights is guaranteed and where all are given to say in the Government of their country.
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