asked the Minister for Finance if he will state his reasons for not considering a reduction of duties on the 93,000 lbs. of Irish-grown tobacco in bond so as to facilitate the sale of it and prevent a total loss through deterioration.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish-Grown Tobacco in Bond.
The question of a reduction in the rate of duty on home-grown tobacco was debated at great length on an amendment to the Finance Bill of 1926, and again in connection with an amendment for the abolition of the duty which was moved by the Deputy himself on the Committee Stage of the Finance Bill of 1929. The reasons against any reduction of the duty on homegrown tobacco generally are applicable to the tobacco referred to in the question. These reasons are set out in detail in the debates, to which I would refer the Deputy.
Mr. O'Reilly
This is not a question of a general reduction, but a reduction for a specific reason— namely, that the present tobacco is unsaleable and is rapidly deteriorating in bond. I do not ask for any general reduction, but simply for the purpose of selling such tobacco.