asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if he is aware that imports of textiles to Ireland, in particular men's clothing from South Africa, are on the increase; and if, in view of the fact that the South African Congress of Trade Unions has stated that the wages of workers in textile mills and clothing factories in South Africa are below the poverty line, he will state the action the Government propose to take to ensure the absolute prohibition of such imports into Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Textile Imports .
12.
: I am aware that there has been some increase in imports of textiles and clothing from South Africa. The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), to which Ireland, the European Community and South Africa are contracting parties, provides for measures by a contracting party to restrict imports in certain circumstances but these restrictions must not be applied on a discriminatory basis. There is no provision under the GATT for the imposition of restrictions against goods in the circumstances envisaged in the question.
: Has the Minister taken any action on this matter by way of representations to the Community in the context of the GATT? Is there any course open to the Minister at this stage in regard to the problem?
: The matter would be one for the Community as a whole but the figures involved are quite small. They are not of any great significance and we could not prove any damage to our industry, for example, as a result of these small imports.
: Would the Minister not agree that there appears to be substantial allegations that the country of origin, South Africa, in respect of which there is general opposition in terms of trading relations, is being successful in exporting into third countries and then re-exporting to Ireland with some of the material coming through such countries as Israel, for example?
: I do not have any evidence of that.