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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 May 1951

Vol. 125 No. 13

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Equipment Stocks.

Major de Valera

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any instructions have been issued to or facilities provided for importers and manufacturers of agricultural tractors, machinery and equipment to encourage and enable such importers and manufacturers to lay in adequate stocks and reserves of spare parts, replacements and equipment as against a possible future emergency or scarcity; and, if so, what instructions and facilities.

Major de Valera

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any arrangements have been made by his Department for the building up and maintenance of adequate stocks and reserves of spare parts and equipment required for agricultural tracttors and agricultural machinery and which are likely to be scarce or unobtainable in the event of an emergency; and, if so, what arrangements.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 46 and 47 together.

The Government have been fully alive to the desirability of encouraging and facilitating the accumulation in this country of stocks and reserves of spare parts, replacements and equipment for agricultural tractors and agricultural machinery.

The Government considered that such stocks and reserves could most suitably be accumulated by the importers normally handling such items, and, as long ago as September last, consultations took place with all the principal importers and Irish manufacturers, who were advised to make provision against a possible future scarcity. The firms concerned signified their willingness to co-operate and most of them had, in fact, already taken action for the purpose of meeting future shortages.

Facilities are available to Irish firms to import agricultural tractors, machinery and equipment, as well as parts and replacements therefor, without payment of customs duty, and I am satisfied, from the substantial imports which took place during 1950 and the early months of 1951, that the trade generally is fully alive to the needs of the time and has taken energetic action to meet them as far as possible.

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