asked the Minister for Finance if a licence to import free of duty maize in grain was issued to Messrs. McDonagh & Co., Carndonagh. County Donegal, and, if so, if he will state for what amount, and the basis on which that amount was calculated: and, further, if he will state if this firm are millers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Licences to Import Maize in Grain.
A licence to import maize and grain free of duty under the Emergency Imposition of Duties (No. 4) Order, 1932, has been issued to Messrs. McDonagh & Co., Carndonagh, County Donegal. The licence is to cover all importations of maize in grain until revoked, and it may be revoked at any time without notice. I am not in a position to state whether this firm are millers. They applied for a licence on the grounds that they were importers of maize in grain. They are not at liberty to dispose of maize in grain otherwise than to persons who have undertaken to mill the maize and to mix it with the requisite proportion of home-grown grain.
The Minister has not stated for what amount the licence was granted, although he has previously told us that the principle upon which these licences are granted has relation to the amount of importation in the preceding years. Has the licence been granted with advertence to that principle in this case?
Of course it is on the ordinary basis of the quota. It has been allocated on the basis of the importation for the preceding term of years.
Will the Minister tell me what was the amount for which the licence was granted, and how does that compare with the amount previously imported by the firm? Does the Minister know that this firm never imported?
The Minister is not aware of the fact that this firm never imported.
Will the Minister tell us of what he is aware so far as the answer is concerned?
I am aware that they have been granted a licence to import maize in grain free of duty.
I think the answer went on to say that the Minister is not aware of the amount previously imported by the firm. Does that occur in the answer?
Yes.
So that the licence is granted in this case without being aware of the amount previously imported?
The Minister was not asked what was the amount previously imported by the firm.
asked the Minister for Finance if a licence to import free of duty maize in grain was refused to Mr. William Norris, Moville, Co. Donegal, and, if so, if he will state the reasons for the refusal to grant a licence in this case, and if he is aware that this firm imported upwards of 150 tons of maize last year.
Mr. William Norris, Moville, County Donegal, has been refused a licence to import maize in grain free of duty under the Emergency Imposition of Duties (No. 4) Order, 1932. It is not proposed to issue licences to import maize free of duty in the case of private millers who require maize in grain for grinding in their own mills and feeding to live stock in conjunction with home-grown grain. Mr. Norris falls within this category, and it will accordingly be necessary for him to purchase his maize requirements from a licensed importer.
Is the Minister aware that Mr. Norris is an extensive trader and that he imported 130 tons of maize in 1931, while McDonagh and Company imported none?
Why the distinction?
Why the distinction?
A Deputy
Well taken—His Master's Voice!
Again I want to put the question, why the distinction?
Between Deputy McGilligan and Deputy White?
One is a miller and the other is an importer.
Who is the miller?
Mr. William Norris?
What is McDonagh?
An importer.
Mr. Norris is not a miller.
Mr. Norris is not a miller?
He is not. With all respect I beg to inform the Minister that his information is very much at fault. He is absolutely incorrect.
The information is correct on the basis on which the discrimination is made, and that has nothing to do with import but only support.