asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he received a verbal or written report from members of a technical mission sent here from the United States of America on restrictive trade practices, or if any observations were made on restrictive trade practices by members of a technical mission dealing with other matters; and, if so, if he will state the nature of these observations, or publish the terms of the report; and if he will state the cost of the technical mission concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Restrictive Trade Practices.
No technical mission was sent here from the United States of America to report on restrictive trade practices. In the report on the industrial potentialities of Ireland by the I.B.E.C. technical services corporation there are some general comments on the need to eliminate policies and practices which are inconsistent with the general lifting of production levels. In the report on Ireland's dollar export potential, the experts engaged by Córas Tráchtála Teoranta commented on certain restrictive practices affecting industry which had come to their attention during the course of their investigations. With regard to the publication of these reports and the cost of the missions I would refer the Deputy to replies which I gave in the Dáil last week to questions on these matters.
Will the Minister not consider publishing these particular reports in view of the references in them to restrictive practices?
The publication of the reports is being considered. In the case of the report to Córas Tráchtála Teoranta it is a summary only that will be published because it contains numerous references to the business of individual firms.
Would the Minister say if we will see the report on restrictive practices while we are discussing the Second Reading of the Restrictive Trade Practices Bill?
The Deputy misunderstands. The references are to restrictive practices of a general kind by Government Departments, local authorities, finance, business, labour and everybody else. The Restrictive Trade Practices Bill is an attempt to adjust an internal situation in the public interest and has only a very slight bearing on the general question raised in these reports.
Would not you think it advantageous that we should see that when we have an opportunity of discussing the Bill rather than have it given to us when the Bill has been enacted?
They are two entirely separate questions.
The Minister made a speech recently in which the two are very definitely linked together.
On the contrary, in that speech I was at pains to emphasise that my remarks had little bearing upon the Restrictive Trade Practices Bill.
The Minister did remark in that speech that the experts had commented on these restrictive practices here.
Not trade practices.
On trade practices.
No.
Well, on restrictive practices as applied in some respects to trade or commerce.
In the course of that speech I said that those listening to me might assume that the remarks had some reference to the Restrictive Trade Practices Bill but that in fact they had very little reference to that Bill.
Do you not think it would contribute to more enlightened discussion of the Bill to have these comments made available?
They are not comments on the trade practices against which this Bill is designed. They are comments upon the general change of outlook which, in the view of these people, is necessary here if an expanding economy is to be achieved.
Trade restrictions are trade restrictions.
Is there any real difficulty in getting extracts made from that report and having them circulated to 147 Deputies?
There is some difficulty but it is being done.
Are we getting it?
You will get it.
While we are discussing the Bill?
No. It will not be ready for a couple of weeks.
Will the Minister embody the report in his Second Reading speech or refer to it?