asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the general scarcity of nails and staples, he will permit the importation of these articles by all traders irrespective of whether they are licensed importers of nails or otherwise.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Import of Nails and Staples.
Licences are not required for the importation of nails or staples. These goods are, however, normally chargeable with customs duty at the time of importation.
Owing, however, to the present difficult supply position, I have arranged with the Revenue Commissioners that persons who normally import these articles or who purchase them direct from the home manufacturers, will be allowed to import, free of customs duty, quantities not exceeding 25 per cent. of what they purchased in both of these ways during the year 1949.
Is the Minister aware that people other than those who were importers of nails are in a much better position to obtain supplies than those who imported them formerly and paid duty? Will he consider abolishing the restriction on nonimporters now obtaining licences for the importation of nails?
The answer to the first part of the supplementary question is "No". The answer to the second part of the supplementary depends on what information the Deputy gives the Minister in support of the first part of the supplementary.