asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state if his Department has received repeated complaints from wholesale drapery firms concerning the failure of certain manufacturing firms to supply blankets, towels and other household requirements or to complete orders within a reasonable time from the date of acceptance; whether some of the firms concerned were granted export licences to sell these essential commodities in foreign markets above the prices fixed for the home market, and if he will state what action has been or will be taken in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supplies of Drapery Goods.
Complaints were received from certain wholesale drapery firms in autumn of last year as to a shortage of blankets, towels and other household requirements. These articles were not then, and are not at present, subject to export control. Temporary arrangements were made last year for the importation of these articles, free of duty or of quota restrictions, in sufficient quantities to meet requirements.
No complaints of the kind referred to have been received for some time past. Irish manufacturers appear to be meeting all reasonable demands, and I do not propose to take any action in the matter.
Will the Minister, when he has time, look up the files of his Department this year and having done so, will he then come and say he has received no complaints in regard to the shortage of towels? Will he also say whether there is an obligation on a manufacturing firm, getting tariffs at the expense of the community, to provide for the reasonable requirements of the home market before looking for an export licence?
As I have explained, an export licence is not required for these articles. I should certainly think it would be good business for a firm operating here to supply the requirements of its permanent customers before sending goods out of the country.
Will the Minister make inquiries to ascertain whether Gentex, Athlone, are supplying the reasonable requirements of their home customers?
Knowing how efficient that firm is, I am quite certain they are doing that.