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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Apr 1954

Vol. 145 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Taxation on Whiskey.

Mr. A. Byrne

asked the Minister for Finance is he has received a memorial from the employees of a firm of Irish distillers with reference to the proposed curtailment of their employment due to the excessive taxation of Irish whiskey; and if he will state what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the industry and their employment.

I have received a copy of a letter addressed to the Deputy by two employees of an Irish distillery. I am not aware that any proposed curtailment of employment by the firm concerned is necessarily due to the rate of duty on spirits.

Mr. A. Byrne

Did the Minister read the memorial submitted by 40 men with from seven to 20 years' service—not from two men which would make it appear that there are only two men interested? There are 40 men threatened with dismissal because of the excessive duty on whiskey.

Some distilleries go up and some go down. The information that the Minister for Finance has is that any curtailment of employment by the firm concerned is not necessarily due to the rate of duty on spirits.

Mr. A. Byrne

It is very little satisfaction to the 40 men concerned to say that some go up and some go down. What about the men who are going down?

The Deputy will hear the figures for the revenue from spirits and he can see that if there had been reduced employment in some distilleries it is not because there was less secured from the spirit duties.

Does the Minister suggest that it is because of bad management?

I do not suggest any such thing.

Has the Minister any idea what it arises from?

This is a question concerning a private concern and I will not discuss the matter.

Is the Minister aware that the export value of Scotch whiskey is £38,000,000 and that the export value of Irish whiskey is less than £500,000? Is it not time that the distilleries were forced to expand this very essential industry?

We have no power to force them except we take them over.

It is very nearly time to consider it if they do not do their duty.

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