asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, as a consequence of the recent Coal-Cattle Pact, all supplies of coal for the Irish Free State must be drawn from British collieries; and if such is the case, whether he will consider the advisability of removing the quota restrictions and permit the free import of British coal, particularly to small ports where large ships cannot be handled.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Coal Imports.
Under Control of Imports (Quota No. 11, First Period) Order, 1935, dated the 8th day of January, 1935, the quota of coal which may be imported into the Saorstát during the period 1st February, 1935, to 31st July, 1935, has been fixed at 1,100,000 tons. Of this quantity, 1,099,000 tons must consist of coal produced in and consigned from Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I am not prepared to consider the removal of quota restrictions and so long as the Quota Order in respect of coal is in operation, there is no power under which their removal in the case of small ports can be effected.