asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware of the growing difficulty of getting supplies of any sort and, if so, why he retains in operation tariffs designed to restrict imports.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Retention of Tariffs.
I am aware of the growing difficulty to which the Deputy refers. Tariffs are designed, as the Deputy is aware, to raise revenue and not solely to restrict imports. Both the revenue and the protective aspects of tariffs are, however, issues of major importance, and, naturally, have to be considered in relation to the problem of supplies, which problem, in present circumstances at any rate, would not be solved by their removal.
Surely the Minister will agree, even though he has jettisoned the Government's protection policy by that statement in which he claims that tariffs are for the purpose of revenue, that the supply problem would be simplified if there were no tariff obstructions in the way of getting supplies from abroad.
Not to a considerable extent.
Can the Minister possibly believe that it would not be very materially simplified?
No.
Is the Minister aware that the warehouses at the North Wall at the present time are packed to the roofs with goods which are there because of the hold-up involved in the clearance of customs duties?
I am not so aware.
Those are the facts.