asked the Minister for Finance whether, in view of the grave unemployment in the motor-car assembly industry, he will reduce the special import levy on motor-car parts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Import Levy on Motor Parts.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply on the 25th instant to a question concerning representations about the effect of the special import levies on employment. I indicated in the course of that reply that factors other than the levy are mainly responsible for the decline in sales of motor-cars.
In consideration of the employment afforded by the motor-car assembly industry the Government limited the special import levy on motor-car components and accessories to a flat rate of 15 per cent. ad valorem compared with rates of up to 60 per cent. full and 40 per cent. preferential ad valorem on other articles. This concession was granted notwithstanding the fact that the very large increase in imports of motor-car components and accessories during the years 1953 to 1955 was one of the major factors which contributed to our present balance of payments difficulties.