Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 May 1933

Vol. 47 No. 11

Cement Bill, 1933—Financial Resolution. - In Committee on Finance.

Mr. Lemass

I move:—

(1) That there shall be charged, levied, and paid in respect of every licence to import cement into Saorstát Eireann issued under any Act passed or to be passed during the financial year beginning on the 1st day of April, 1933, a fee calculated by reference to the number of tons of cement authorised by such licence to be imported, and at such rate per ton as the Minister for Industry and Commerce may, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, fix in respect of such licence.

(2) That the fee mentioned in this resolution shall be paid to the Minister for Industry and Commerce and shall be collected and accounted for in such manner as shall be provided by statute.

(3) That in this resolution the word "cement" means Roman cement, Portland cement, or any other hydraulic cement.

Mr. Dockrell

I should like to ask the Minister if it is perfectly clear that this fee will not be retrospective.

Mr. Lemass

Quite. This motion provides for the levying of a fee upon any licence issued under the Cement Bill when it becomes an Act. It does not come into operation until the Bill becomes law.

Mr. Good

When will the fee come into operation?

Mr. Lemass

When the Bill is passed.

Mr. Good

Immediately?

Mr. Lemass

When the Bill is passed, a licence will be required to import cement and a fee may be charged. I do not say that a fee will be charged at that stage, but it may be charged at that stage.

Mr. Dockrell

I take it the Minister realises that from the trader's point of view the sooner they know where they stand the better.

Mr. Lemass

That is so. I think we may have to take that fact into consideration together with certain other facts, but as it stands at present the Bill is going through the Oireachtas and empowers the Minister to charge a fee upon a licence, and this is the financial resolution necessary to implement that power. Obviously, however, it is a power that cannot be exercised until the Bill becomes law.

Resolution put and agreed to.

Resolution reported and agreed to.