asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has received complaints regarding the method of allocating quotas of imported cloth on the basis of the quantity of material imported in 1934; and whether, in view of the dissatisfaction which exists at the present method of allocating quotas on this basis, he will give sympathetic consideration to the question of revising the method of issuing licences for the importation of cloth so as to relate the issue of licences for the importation of cloth to individual firms on the basis of their purchases from Irish mills during the preceding 12 months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quotas for Imported Cloth.
Complaints have been made by certain importers regarding the basis at present adopted for distributing the quotas appointed under the Orders which restrict the importation of woollen piece goods.
Some time ago I considered the adoption of the system of distribution suggested by the Deputy, but came to the conclusion that, in view of the conflicting interests which must be taken into account when making allocations, it would not be a satisfactory method.
Is the Minister aware of the fact that firms which imported a large quantity of cloth in 1934 and whose business to-day is on the down grade are to-day enabled to import three-quarters, or from 80 to 90 per cent., of their requirements in British cloth, buying, therefore, a negligible percentage from Irish mills, while firms established in the meantime, which had no quota in 1934, are only able to get the haphazard quota which the Minister's Department may now allocate to them? Does the Minister not consider it desirable in the interests of Irish mills—and that is the primary purpose of my question—to relate the importation of British cloth to purchases from Irish mills, thereby ensuring that if a quota to import British cloth is to be assigned to importers here it will be on the basis of substantial purchases from Irish mills?
I am satisfied that that method of distribution is not practicable.
Does the Minister not realise that what he is doing to-day is giving a substantial preference to persons to import British cloth who are buying a negligible quantity of cloth from Irish mills?
No, I am not.
Does the Minister deny that there are certain importers to-day importing a very substantial quantity of British cloth while buying a negligible quantity of cloth from Irish mills?
I do not think the Deputy understands the complexity of the situation. There are many firms engaged in business, involving the use of woollen piece goods, who are unable to get any supplies from Irish mills, whereas there are other firms which can get all their requirements from Irish mills. It is not possible, having regard to the different types of case that exist, to get a uniform basis of allocation, such as the Deputy suggests.
Does the Minister realise that if you take certain firms in Ireland to-day, some are allowed to get a certain importation of British cloth by buying a relatively small quantity of cloth from Irish mills, while other firms, buying ten times the quantity from Irish mills, are only allowed to import a fraction of the English cloth which their competitors are permitted to import?
No.
Is the Minister aware that one of the firms at present receiving those licences consists of a bricklayer and a plumber from London who arrived here and established themselves recently as manufacturers of ready-made cloth in Éire?
Any person who is a manufacturer of readymade cloth in Éire is entitled to register himself as an importer, according to law-even the Deputy.
Would the Minister undertake to reconsider the matter further, with a view to balancing the thing in such a way—that is my only interest in it—as to give a preference to those who support the products of Irish mills? I know there are difficulties, but they are not insurmountable.
Those difficulties have been fully considered, and it has been decided that they are insurmountable.
Then may I take it that the present position is going to continue?
The Deputy must not take that.
Can the Minister deny that there are in this city certain ready-made clothing firms who do not purchase any cloth from Irish mills?
I have yet to learn of any such firm.
Is the Minister aware of the fact that a substantial number of Irish clothing workers have been told that if the Minister's present methods continue there will be no alternative but to pay them off and import ready-made clothing from the British market?
If those workers believe that every time they are told it they are much more gullible than I imagined.
Unfortunately those workers will be hungry, when the Minister will not be hungry, through the Minister's mismanagement and incompetence and laziness.
The Deputy can be as abusive as he likes.