asked the Minister for Finance whether he will suspend import duties on bona fide presents of food or tobacco coming from America to Éire, in view of the acute supply situation at present obtaining here.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Import Duties on Gifts.
I am not prepared to entertain the suggestion that there should be a complete suspension of import duties on presents of food or tobacco imported from America. The situation referred to in the Deputy's question has, however, been to some extent met by Emergency Powers (No. 130) Order, 1941, effective since November last, under the terms of which the customs duty, including package duty and duty in respect of certain dutiable ingredients, has been suspended in relation to a number of commodities, including coffee, coffee extracts, cocoa and margarine. In addition the minimum customs duty on tea has been suspended. The extension of the relevant Order for a further period is at present under consideration.
In view of the fact that there is an acute shortage of tobacco in the country at present, and that a great many old people in rural Ireland are now denied the opportunity of filling their pipes, I suggest it would place no undue stress on the revenue if the Minister would permit the free import of presents of tobacco where the Revenue Commissioners were satisfied that they were genuine presents. I think the Minister might leave it to the discretion of the Revenue Commissioners to deal with any abuses from the point of view of regular imports while, at the same time, enabling an old person in the country, who gets a present of tobacco from a child or relative in America, to have the satisfaction of using it without having to pay a duty of 14/- or 15/- to the revenue.
I shall look into the matter again.
Thank you.