Written answers
Wednesday, 9 December 2015
Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
Import Costs
Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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75. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the quantity of goods that was imported into Ireland from Western Sahara in each of the past five years; why is Ireland importing goods from Western Sahara considering its occupation by Morocco is contrary to international law and considering the indigenous population does not benefit from this trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44288/15]
Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Information from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on imports of goods from Western Sahara is only available as follows:
Imports into Ireland from Western Sahara
2013 (€ 000) | 2014 (€ 000) | Jan-Sep 2014 (€ 000) | Jan-Sep 2015 (€ 000) |
|---|---|---|---|
161 | 214 | 102 | 328 |
The data from the CSO indicates that the imports from Western Sahara are primarily in the category of Miscellaneous manufactured article.This accounted for 91% (or €194,000) of imports in 2014.
Trade sanctions on imports of goods from outside the EU are a foreign policy matter, decided upon by the EU and applied directly through EU regulation. The role of my Department, in regard to any such sanctions on goods, is to ensure compliance with the relevant EU regulations. As regards Western Sahara, the EU has not adopted any such trade sanctions.
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