asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the further information communicated to his Department has enabled him to ascertain whether a licence to import free of duty an engine was issued to one person while it was subsequently refused to another, and the reasons for this discrimination.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Granting of Import Licence.
A licence was granted to a firm in County Donegal in March, 1933, for the duty-free importation of an engine which was represented to have been bought prior to the imposition of the duty. For a considerable time no licences for the free importation of crude oil engines have been recommended.
Am I to take it from the Minister's reply that he specifically withdraws the denial which he made here a fortnight ago that any such transaction had taken place?
The reply I gave was accurate—quite correct. I refer the Deputy to it.
Am I to understand that the licence which was issued on 15th March, 1933, actually was issued several months after the imposition of the original duty on such engines?
I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply.
Then the Minister's allegation, that there was no foundation for the suggestion contained in the question I put to him, is untrue and there was ample foundation for the question, and the state of affairs I alleged did, in fact, exist?
The Deputy is wrong, and that is not the answer I gave.
And you will discover that the same thing exists about the sheeting and the shirting.