asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the total value of meats liable to the duty imposed by Section 24 of the Finance Act, 1932 (No. 20 of 1932) imported into Saorstát Eireann during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1933, and during the eight months ended the 31st August, 1934; and the total value of such meats exempted from such duty by virtue of (1) Section 6 of the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1879, and (2) because of previous exportation; and if he will state whether abuses have arisen in connection with such exemption from duty on such meats, and if so, to what extent has such exemption been unfairly or unjustly sought in respect of (1) bacon and (2) other meats; and if he will state whether any licences have been applied for and issued to any particular persons under the Emergency Imposition of Duties Order (No. 43), 1934 to import these articles without payment of duty, and if so, if he will state to whom such licences have been issued, the quantity of (1) bacon and (2) other meats covered by these licences, and any special conditions under which the licences have been granted; whether any applications for licences to import (a) bacon and (b) other meats without duty have been refused, and if so, for what reason.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Import of Meats.
The total value of beef, veal, mutton and lamb, and of dead poultry and game not tinned, canned or bottled imported into Saorstát Eireann during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1933, is £4,040, and during the eight months ended 31st August, 1934, is £1,565. The value of re-imports of these commodities re-imported during the year 1933 and during the seven months of 1934, was £17 and nil respectively. It was found that to a small extent meat on which export bounty had been paid was re-imported free of duty into Saorstát Eireann, a procedure open to obvious objections. The purpose of the Order is to make such a procedure impossible. Licences have not been applied for nor issued under the Order.