asked the Minister for Finance if the tariffs in the 1924-5 Budget are based on information as to the productive capacity of the principal industries in the Saorstát, and, if so, if he will state what is the explanation of the exclusion of the textile industry from the benefit of tariffs.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - BUDGET AND TEXTILE INDUSTRY.
SEÁN MAC GIOLLA 'N RÍOGH
I presume the Deputy is referring to the various new Customs duties imposed in the Finance Bill, namely:—
10 per cent. ad valorem on candles, 15 per cent. ad valorem on boots and shoes, 33? per cent. ad valorem on empty bottles, and 10 per cent. ad valorem on soap.
I have no reason to believe that the information on which these duties were based was otherwise than sound, and before any extension of the principle which such duties represent can be considered, it will be necessary to see what the actual results of the operation of the existing duties will be over a period. I might also refer to the statement made by the Minister for Finance when the Deputy raised this matter of the textile industry during the debate on Financial Resolution No. 19 on the 6th and 7th May last.