asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the total value of edible extracts, essences, juices, etc., intended to be covered by the Emergency Imposition of Duties (No. 46) Order, 1934, imported into Saorstát Eireann during (1) the 12 months ended 31st December, 1933, and (2) the six months ended 30th June, 1934, and the principal countries of origin; whether the Customs duty at the rate of 5/- the pound imposed by the Order is a new duty, and if not, what was the amount of the previous duty; the total revenue which it is anticipated will be received as a result of this duty on these articles during the first 12 months following the date of coming into operation of the Order; and if he will state the total number of firms engaged in the manufacture of these articles in Saorstát Eireann, and the average number of persons employed; whether any licences have been applied for and issued to any particular persons 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 such articles covered by these licences, and any special conditions under which the licences have been granted, whether any applications for licences to import these articles without payment of duty have been refused, and if so, for what reason.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Import of Extracts and Essences.
Dr. Ryan
The total value of meat extracts, essences, etc., imported into Saorstát Eireann during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1933, is £48,035, and during the six months ended 30th June, 1934, is £20,659. As the statistics relate to the country of consignment, which is not necessarily the country of origin, the country of origin cannot be stated. The commodities to which the Order applies have not previously been subject to customs duty on importation. As the Order has been made for the furtherance of the production in the Saorstát of the commodities dutiable thereunder, the duty has been fixed at a rate which it is anticipated will render it unprofitable to import the commodities, duty paid, and no revenue is therefore expected to accrue from such imports. Steps are being taken to establish a factory for the manufacture of the dutiable commodities in Saorstát Eireann, as hitherto the Saorstát was dependent upon imported supplies. Licences for the importation of the commodities dutiable have been granted for a limited period to firms who have hitherto imported these commodities. The quantities so licensed are restricted to the normal importations by these firms during a corresponding period prior to the imposition of the duty, and will be discontinued as soon as facilities for the manufacture of the dutiable commodities are available in Saorstát Eireann. The object of the Order has been to prevent forestalling prior to the provision of these facilities. The quantity imported under licence is approximately 1,033 cwts. Subject to the foregoing conditions all applications have been granted. I am not prepared to give the names of the persons or firms to whom licences have been granted.