Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Apr 1935

Vol. 55 No. 14

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trade Agreements.

Mr. Corish

asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he will state the countries with which trade agreements were negotiated during the years 1929 to 1934 inclusive, the nature and effect of the agreements concluded, and whether they are still in force.

Minister for External Affairs (The President)

As the reply is a lengthy one I propose, with the Deputy's permission, to circulate it in the official report. The Deputy's question refers to the period 1929 to 1934 but he will be aware that an agreement dated the 28th January, 1935, was made with Germany and was circulated on the 15th February, 1935. An agreement with Belgium was signed on the 15th February, 1935, and will be circulated at an early date.

Trade Agreements were concluded with the following countries during the years 1929 to 1934 inclusive:—

Brazil,	Panama,
Costa Rica,	Roumania,
Egypt,	Turkey,
El Salvador,	Greece,
Germany,	Portugal,
Guatemala,	Spain,
Italy,	Canada,
Lithuania,	South Africa.

The Agreements with the following countries are on Most-Favoured-Nation basis:—

Brazil,	Italy,
Costa Rica,	Lithuania,
Egypt,	Panama,
El Salvador,	Roumania,
Germany,	Turkey,
Guatemala,	Spain.

In addition to the Agreement with Spain referred to above, a Supplementary Agreement with that country was concluded in June, 1934. By this Supplementary Agreement the Spanish Government agreed to allot to the Saorstát a quota of 11,000 Metric Quintals of eggs for the year 1934. The Supplementary Agreement also provided for the allotment by Spain to the Saorstát of a quota of 2,750 Metric Quintals of eggs for the period January to March, 1935, if before the 31st March, 1935, a new Agreement had not been concluded between Spain and this country. The Saorstát Government agreed to prevent in its territory the wrongful use of the geographical appellations of origin of the wines Sherry (Zeres-Jerez) Malaga, Tarragona produced in and exported from Spain. The Saorstát Government also agreed not to establish Customs duties other or higher than those then applicable to wines, raisins and oranges (including Mandarines) originating in and exported from Spain. The Saorstát Government further agreed that should quota measures be applied to imports into the Saorstát of wines, raisins and oranges (including Mandarines) the respective quotas to be attributed to the importations of these goods produced in Spain should bear the same proportion to the global quotas as the corresponding imports of these goods produced in Spain bore to the total importations of the goods during the years 1932 and 1933.

The Agreement with Greece is on Most-Favoured-Nation basis, and in addition the Saorstát Government have undertaken that the duty on currants the produce of Greece imported into the Saorstát shall not exceed 2/- per cwt.

The Agreement with Portugal is on Most-Favoured-Nation basis, and in addition the Saorstát has agreed to permit the importation, subject to whatever Customs duties to which they are liable, as well as the transportation and sale in the country of all Portuguese wines of an alcoholic graduation not exceeding 42º Sykes of proof spirit (23.9658º centesimal).

The Saorstát Government have also agreed to suppress the importation, storage, exportation, fabrication, circulation, sale or exhibition for sale of wines bearing the designations of wine of Porto and Madeira which have not originally been produced in the regions of the Douro and of the Island of Madeira respectively.

The Portuguese Government have agreed to grant to the Mercantile Marine of the Saorstát in ports of Continental Portugal and of the adjacent Islands a reduction of 25 per cent. on the maritime trade taxes at present in force or on those which may subsequently substitute them.

The Agreement with Canada provides that goods the produce of Canada imported into the Saorstát shall not be subject to other or higher duties than those paid on similar goods the produce or manufacture of any other country, and that goods the produce or manufacture of the Saorstát imported into Canada shall not be subject to other or higher duties than those paid on similar goods the produce or manufacture of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Agreement with South Africa provides for preferential rates of duty on the following products of Saorstát origin upon importation into South Africa:—

	Extent of Preference.
Hosiery of all sorts	5%
Tractors and parts	10%
Stout (per imperial gal.)	6d.

The Agreement also provides for preferential rates of duty on the following goods, the produce or manufacture of South Africa, imported into the Saorstát:—

	Extent of Preference.
Currants	1/6 of full rate.
Raisins and other dried fruits	1/6 of full rate.
Canned fruit	1/6 of full rate.
Wine, not exceeding 30º of proof spirit	40% of full rate.
Wine, exceeding 30º but not exceeding 42º of proof spirit	33 1/3% of full rate.
Additional:
Sparkling wine in bottle	30% of full rate.
Still wine in bottle	50% of full rate.
Maize meal	100% of full rate.

All the Agreements mentioned are still in force.