asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that boots and shoes manufactured in this country are giving very unsatisfactory results and, if so, he will take steps to ensure that only the best of the available supplies of leather will in future be used in the manufacture of all footwear.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Footwear Manufacture.
The Deputy's suggestion does not take account of the fact that there is a shortage of leather. Available supplies are not sufficient to provide for more than a proportion of normal footwear production, and as the effect of the Deputy's proposal would be to reduce the supply of footwear still further, I am not prepared to adopt it.
I am aware that there have been complaints for some time past about the quality of the footwear which has been available and I have had many of these complaints investigated. Generally such defects as exist are due to the quality of the leather now used in manufacture. The tanners have informed me that, with the hides and tanning materials now available to them, they cannot ensure the same high quality of output as in normal times. I am satisfied that the tanners and manufacturers are doing their best with the materials at their disposal.
Could the Minister say if boots have been manufactured from any materials other than leather?
No.