asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will introduce legislation to control the importation of waste paper in view of the fact that £800,000 was spent on waste paper imports last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Our international commitments arising from EC membership and under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) do not permit the taking of unilateral and arbitary actions to restrain trade. Indeed we have a major interest in seeing that our trading partners abide by their international obligations. Consequently, it is advisable for us to be seen to observe the rules. This was recognised by the previous Government when, last September, Ireland made a commitment in the GATT to observe a standstill on the introduction of new protective measures and to roll back existing measures.

Furthermore, the imports of waste paper are required by paper processing industries for the benefit of their business. Consequently, I do not intend to seek the introduction of measures to control the importation of wastepaper.