asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the advantages for Irish trade with South American countries that would result from the accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Community; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

It is not anticipated that the traditional pattern of Irish trade with South American countries will be affected by the enlargement of the European Community, since the constraints on this trade are of a different order.

The European Community's trading relations with countries of that region are governed by the preferential tariff arrangements laid down under the Community's generalised system of preferences. On accession to the Community, Spain and Portugal will progressively adopt the same preferential arrangements in respect of South American countries as are applied by the present Community. Prospects for Irish trade with South American countries may be improved as a consequence of any move by the enlarged Community to develop new commercial relations with these countries. However, these prospects would be very difficult to quantify at the present time.