I move:—
That Dáil Éireann hereby approves of:—
Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Woven Woollen and Synthetic and Artificial Fabrics) (Amendment) Order, 1954.
Committee on Finance. - Control of Imports Orders—Motions of Approval.
Items Nos. 3 and 4 on the Order Paper—Control of Imports Orders—may be discussed together.
As a means towards protecting and developing the Irish woollen weaving industry imports of woollen and worsted piece goods have, since 1935, been prohibited, except under licence, under the Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) Order, 1935. Following representations that imports of spun rayon cloths, manufactured to resemble woollen and worsted suitings, were being sold here in competition with the products of the woollen weaving industry, the Government, on the 23rd May, 1952, made an Order entitled Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Artificial Silk Piece Goods Amendment) Order, 1952, which prohibited, except under licence, the importation of woven piece goods containing more than 85 per cent. by weight of artificial silk staple fibre which exceeded eight ounces in weight per square yard. This Order was confirmed by resolutions passed by the Dáil and Seanad.
Evidence was later produced to show that certain importers were offering spun rayon suitings and gaberdines containing less than 85 per cent. by weight of artificial silk staple fibre and the continued unrestricted importation of such cloths would have defeated the purpose of the original Order. The Government, accordingly, made a further amending Order in September, 1953, entitled Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Artificial Silk Piece Goods Amendment) (No. 2) Order, 1953, the effect of which was to extend the scope of the quota on spun rayon suitings to cloths of not less than 40 per cent. by weight of artificial silk staple fibre. This Order also was confirmed by resolutions passed by the Dáil and Seanad.
During the year 1954 it was established that substantial orders had been placed with continental suppliers for cloths exceeding eight ounces in weight per square yard, which by reason of the introduction of continuous filament rayon fibres and other fibres had been brought outside the scope of the quota. At the same time, representations were received from the woollen mills that their production of lightweight cloths not exceeding eight ounces in weight per square yard were being severely affected by imports of rayon cloths mainly of continental origin.
As there had already been a number of amendments made it was decided, in the interests of clarity, to codify existing amendments and the further changes necessary to deal with the cloths to which I have referred, in one consolidating Order.
The Government, accordingly, made a further amending Order entitled Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Woven Woollen and Synthetic and Artificial Fabrics) (Amendment) Order, 1954; to give effect to these proposals. This Order was made by the Government on the 19th October, 1954, and came into operation on the 2nd November, 1954.
Subsequent to the making of the Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Woven Woollen and Synthetic and Artificial Fabrics) (Amendment) Order, 1954, it emerged that certain difficulties had arisen due to an exemption in that Order for cloths containing a fancy weave. On 25th January, 1955, the Government, accordingly, made a further Order entitled Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Woven Woollen and Synthetic and Artificial Fabrics) (Amendment) Order, 1955, revoking this exemption. This Order came into operation on the 1st February, 1955.
We can all agree that if it is necessary to restrict the import of these woven woollen and synthetic and artificial fabrics, particularly from continental sources, in the interests of Irish woollen industry it should be done. There should be no doubt that the steps to be taken will be sufficiently effective to enable our own woollen mills to maintain their position. It is lamentable that these synthetic fabrics are interfering to the extent they are with employment in Irish industry.
From the point of view of quality and value for money, our Irish woollen mills can produce as good a product and as attractive and well-wearing a product as anything that comes from a continental or other source. At a time when woollens and tweeds are in the fashion in a way they have never been before in our memory in all the fashion houses in Europe, it seems extraordinary that it should be necessary to import these synthetic and artificial fabrics to the detriment of old-established traditional Irish industries in which we all take a keen interest.
I would like to congratulate the Parliamentary Secretary on the steps that have been taken to achieve that employment as far as it can be ensured will be maintained in our Irish woollen mills.
Question put and agreed to.
I move:—
That Dáil Éireann hereby approves of:—
Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Woven Woollen and Synthetic and Artificial Fabrics) (Amendment) Order, 1955.
Question put and agreed to.