Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Nov 1936

Vol. 64 No. 3

Imposition of Duties (Confirmation of Orders) (No. 3) Bill, 1936—Second Stage.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. Lemass)

I move that the Bill be now read a Second Time. This Bill is necessary to confirm certain Orders which were made under the Emergency Imposition of Duties Act of 1932. The Orders are set out in the Schedule of the Bill and require confirmation by the Dáil to enable them to be continued in operation. I do not know if Deputies desire to go into any detail with regard to these Orders at this stage. As regards the merits of the various duties set out in the Schedule, they might be more fruitfully discussed in Committee, if the Dáil desires to discuss them at all. However, for the information of the House, I shall give a brief indication of the effects of the various Orders mentioned in the Schedule.

Reference No. 1 relates to an Order made modifying the duty on dried eggs, including dried egg albumen. That duty was discussed previously in the House and I do not think it is necessary to say anything more about it as the principles involved are known. Reference No. 2 relates to the Order affecting the amendment of the duty upon wallpaper, which had the effect of imposing a protective duty for the first time upon wallpaper —a small duty, which operated previously, being mainly for revenue purposes. The duty was imposed for the purpose of affording protection to a concern which is at present establishing a factory in Kildare for the manufacture of wallpaper and the duty applies to most classes of wallpaper in common use, all of which will be produced by the new company in sufficient quantity and sufficient variety to supply the requirements of the Saorstát. It is hoped that supplies of wallpaper from the factory will be available at the beginning of next year.

Reference No. 3 relates to an Order made imposing a duty upon harness. A duty on harness has been in operation since 1931, but, when imposed in 1931, it was expressed to be operative for five years only and ceased to operate in the present year. The duty was varied from time to time by various Finance Acts, but the overriding provision that the duty should operate for five years only continued in force and, consequently, it was necessary to make a new Order imposing the same duty as had operated prior to the making of the Order on harness, so as to continue the protection afforded to harness manufactures in the Saorstát.

Reference No. 4 relates to an Order made imposing a duty upon certain component parts of boots and shoes. A factory has been established at Belturbet, in County Cavan, for the manufacture of these components, and is now in production. The class of goods produced there are not much known amongst persons other than those engaged in the actual manufacture of boots and shoes. They are parts which are sold only to manufactures; that is, parts which are described commonly as stiffeners, toe-puffs and shanks. They were previously imported into the Saorstát, but their manufacture here affords an opportunity of giving employment of a substantial nature in a portion of the Saorstát where that employment will be very welcome.

Mr. Dillon

When the Minister speaks of employment of a substantial nature, what does he mean?

Mr. Lemass

The employment of about 100 persons.

Mr. Dillon

One hundred persons engaged in the manufacture of toe-puffs? That is the eighth wonder of the world.

Mr. Lemass

No. As a matter of fact it is quite an ordinary thing.

Mr. Dillon

I know the boot and shoe trade, but I say that if you are going to employ 100 people for the manufacture of toe-puffs and stiffeners, that is the eighth wonder of the world.

Mr. Donnelly

Deputy Dillon has been in America and a lot of things have happened since.

Mr. Lemass

Reference No. 5 relates to an Order extending the duty on fire clay to certain unglazed clay manufactures. Originally, the exemptions from the duty applied to fire bricks and fire blocks, fire clay, including interiors, backs, sides, or bottoms for domestic firegrates, ranges, stoves, or mantel registers. These exemptions were withdrawn and the duty applied to these articles which are now being manufactured in the Saorstát. There is a factory in the County Laoighis. Reference No. 6 relates to a modification in the revenue duty on figs and fig cake. The purpose of this Order was to give effect to one of the terms of the Trade Agreement made between the Free State and Turkey, the full text of which will be published in the near future. The existing duty upon figs was 10/6 per cwt., with a preferential rate of 8/9. That duty has been reduced to 7/- per cwt. with a preferential rate of 5/10. Our imports of figs in 1935 amounted to 4,170 cwts. of which 3,728 cwts. were of Turkish origin. The cost of the reduction in duty to the Exchequer is estimated to be approximately £800. Item No.7 relates to an Order made for the purpose of amending the duty upon certain metal plates, letters and numbers, that is motor vehicle number plates, and parts thereof. The existing duty of 33? per cent. was found to be inadequate, and was increased to 50 per cent. ad valorem by the Order in question.

Mr. Dillon

On the basis of the toe-puffs, I suppose it would take 10,000 men to make all the motor plates?

Mr. Lemass

There is more employment given in the production of toe-puffs and stiffeners than in the manufacture of number plates. The final item, No.8, relates to the duty imposed on certain machinery used in laundries —pressing machines, washing machines and drying machines. Those machines were previously only assembled in the Saorstát, but one of the companies engaged in the assembly of those machines has commenced their complete manufacture. A factory for the purpose is located at Island Bridge, Co. Dublin. The employment afforded is of a substantial nature and of a highly-skilled type. It is a type of industry which it is desired to foster and encourage in the Saorstát. Consequently this extension of duty on the complete machines to the parts thereof is considered desirable for the purpose of affording the necessary protection. Those duties were imposed from time to time during the course of the past six months, and all will cease to operate at some time during the next three months if not confirmed by Statute. That is why it was necessary to introduce this Bill, which I move should now be read a Second Time.

Mr. Dillon

Would the Minister deal shortly with a few small items? There will be a Committee Stage of this Bill, when an opportunity will be afforded for going into it in more detail. In the meantime, would the Minister describe to us what is the process of manufacture of wallpaper that is proceeding here? Is it the printing of the paper or the manufacture of it?

Mr. Lemass

The manufacture of paper is not included in the industry which has been established in Kildare. The manufacture of paper may be undertaken by some other concern, but the firm in Kildare purchases supplies, and prints the wallpaper.

Mr. Dillon

The Minister said that this Item No. 8 referred to pressing machines, washing machines and drying machines such as are used in laundries. I take it that the washing machines referred to in that reference will cover ordinary domestic electric washing machines which are not used in laundries.

Mr. Lemass

No. This applies to laundry machinery only. Domestic machinery is excluded by the terms of the Order.

Question put and agreed to.

Committee Stage fixed for Thursday, 19th November, 1936.