asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state under what authority he increased the postage rates on letters, postcards, printed packets and newspapers as from the 1st July, 1948.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Increased Postage Rates.
The increased postage rates were introduced as from July 1st, 1948, by Statutory Instrument No. 224 of 1948 entitled the Inland Post Amendment (No. 2) Warrant, 1948, issued on 15th June by the Minister for Finance in exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Post Office Acts, 1908 to 1937. A copy of the Warrant has been presented to the Dáil and Seanad and the Warrant has also been published in Iris Oifigiúil.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is the Minister aware that this is legislation by Government decree and that this obnoxious method of levying taxation, without recourse to Dáil Éireann, has been adopted very shortly after the introduction of the annual budget?
And was in operation for the previous 16 years.
Not at all.
The Deputy will have every opportunity of discussing the matter on the Estimate next week.