Vol. 428 No. 2
102 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the steps, if any, he is taking to ensure that the draft global approach directive for the marking of precious metal articles will adequately protect the Irish consumer, the jobs of Irish workers in the manufacturing trade and also provide a sound basis for fair trading in gold, silver and platinum; and if the guarantee of the hall mark will still remain.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to similar Questions Nos. 228, 231 and 234 on 23 March 1993.
The Commission of the European Communities is at present preparing proposals for a Directive on the marking of precious metals.
As I indicated on 23 March, 1993 my priority will be the preservation of Irish jobs and the maintenance of a high level of consumer protection when a Directive comes to be discussed at the level of the Council of Ministers.
