asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the special arrangements made in countries like Czecho-Slovakia to dump matches in the Saorstát at prices below the cost of production, he will consider the alteration of the existing duties to allow Dublin match manufacturers to retain the home market without loss of revenue or increased cost to the consumers.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DUTY ON IMPORTED MATCHES.
I do not see my way to propose any alteration in the existing rates of duty on matches.
Mr. DOYLE
Arising out of the Minister's answer, I desire to ask him if he is aware that, as a result of the dumping in this particular trade, considerable unemployment has been brought about. There were at least 33 per cent. of employed people sacked within the last eighteen months. Is the Minister also aware that the subsidiary trades are likewise affected, and that no later than this week considerable orders have been cancelled?
I am aware that during the past year about one-third of the matches consumed were imported matches. I am not aware that there is dumping. There may be.