asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that three gallon flushing cisterns are classified as storage cisterns by the Revenue Commissioners and subjected to duty under this head, and whether as flushing cisterns are not manufactured in this country he will take steps to have these articles exempted from duty.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Storage Cisterns.
Cast iron storage tanks imported empty are liable to duty on importation into the Saorstát and flushing cisterns are chargeable under this heading. Cast iron flushing cisterns are manufactured in the Saorstát.
Perhaps the Minister will tell me who manufactures three gallon flushing cisterns in the Saorstát?
That was not the question which was tabled. I am not aware that three gallon flushing cisterns are manufactured in the Saorstát or, in fact, that there is any substantial demand for them; but two gallon and two and a half gallon cisterns are manufactured.
Is the Minister aware that three gallon flushing cisterns are specified by the Dublin Corporation and are in universal use? Perhaps the Minister will make inquiries into the matter. So far as I am informed, three gallon cisterns are in universal use in this country.
My information is to the contrary. I am informed that the local authorities do not favour the installation of three gallon cisterns, which lead to a serious waste of water.
Am I to take it that the Minister's information is that the Dublin Corporation, which is the nearest local authority to us, favour the installation of flushing cisterns with a capacity of less than three gallons?
I am not prepared to answer that without notice.
I think it is an important question. Twelve thousand houses have been put up in this country and I think you will find that not one of them has a flushing cistern with a capacity of less than three gallons. If the Minister will make inquiries into the matter I will be quite satisfied.
Very well.