I formally move:—
That Seanad Éireann hereby approves of the Sugar (Prohibition of Import) Order, 1953.
Sugar (Prohibition of Import) Order, 1953—Motion for Approval.
This Order comes up for renewal at this time every year. The Sugar (Control of Import) Act, 1936, empowers the Government to prohibit, by Order, the importation of sugar except under licence. Import licences may be granted only to the Sugar Company under an Order made by the Government. They operate only for one year and must be renewed annually. The first prohibition Order on the importation of sugar was made in May, 1936, and since that time the importation of sugar has been regulated by an annual prohibition Order. It would still be impracticable, in view of price differentials and other considerations, to do otherwise than retain the existing practice for the present.
I take it that the Minister is still of opinion that this matter could not be dealt with other than by the present method?
I thought of that. Circumstances may arise in which some alternative arrangement in relation to sugar may be possible. The present situation was not contemplated in 1936, namely, that most of the imported sugar is imported in a raw state and refined here. That possibility did not occur to us in 1936 and is a factor which would have to be borne in mind because there is a substantial advantage in doing that refining in this country. Nevertheless, we could, at some stage, conceive the possibility of individuals being allowed to import refined sugar for special purposes otherwise than through the Sugar Company. For that reason, I think it is desirable, for the time being, to leave the 1936 Act in its present state.
Question put and agreed to.