Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Nov 1941

Vol. 85 No. 3

Public Business. - Control of Imports (Quotas Nos. 35 and 36) (Amendment) Order, 1941—Motion of Approval.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. Lemass)

I move:—

That Dáil Eireann hereby approves of Control of Imports (Quotas Nos. 35 and 36) (Amendment) Order, 1941.

By a Control of Imports Order made earlier, the Government gave legal authority to what had been the administrative practice of the Revenue Commissioners in relation to a number of commodities that were the subject of quota orders in allowing small quantities of those goods to be imported in various circumstances, such as part of other equipment, or as samples, or for re-export, or for stage properties, or any similar purpose. That order, made in 1939, gave approval to the administrative practice of the Revenue Commissioners in respect of the quota orders that were made up to then. It is necessary to do the same thing in respect to these two quota orders which were made subsequently. Therefore, this amendment order was made and I ask the Dáil to approve of it.

Mr. Dillon

Does the discretion which used to be exercised and which is now confirmed extend to bona fide gifts of individual articles which come within the quota orders?

Mr. Lemass

No. The Revenue Commissioners are authorised to allow in small quantities subject to the condition that they are imported as samples or models, as stage properties, for scientific, medical or surgical purposes, for further manufacturing purposes, for re-exportation, for exhibition or in connection with competitions taking place here or that they are imported temporarily only. In such circumstance the Revenue Commissioners desire power to admit them without payment of duty. They in fact do that, but it is necessary to make the position legally secure by this order. They have that power in relation to other articles which are the subject of quota orders and it is necessary to give them the same power in relation to those articles.

Mr. Dillon

Are they not now using a discretion of this character to permit the dispatch of quota articles to refugees from England who are resident in this country? Is it not so that if children have been evacuated from England here under the evacuation scheme, if their parents send them clothing or goods of that kind, the people here who are looking after the children can apply to the Department of Supplies or the Revenue Commissioners and get a licence to bring in such clothing?

Mr. Lemass

That is right. This order does not affect that. They have that discretion.

Question put and agreed to.