asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce in what circumstances and for what reasons the Emergency Imposition of Duties (No. 352) (Display Shapes or Stands) (Plaster of Paris or Papier Mâché) Order, 1955, was made, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emergency (Imposition of Duties) Order.
Major de Valera
The Order mentioned by the Deputy was made because it was established in 1955 that the manufacturers of display shapes and stands, for whose protection the duty was imposed, were not in a position to supply the reasonable requirements of the market.
Major de Valera
Is that the only reason why that Order was made?
That is so.
Major de Valera
Has it any relationship to a prosecution that was taken?
I did not come into a prosecution.
Major de Valera
Is the Minister aware of a prosecution that was taken?
I am aware of a prosecution but that prosecution was not taken by the Minister. It would be instituted by the Attorney-General.
Major de Valera
Did the initiative not come from the Minister's Department?
That is an entirely separate question.
Oh, no. It is not a separate question.
Major de Valera
Are the two things connected or are they not?
So far as the revocation of this duty is concerned, the sole purpose determining its revocation was that the individual who was operating under this protective duty was not in a position to supply the requirements of the Irish market. His attempts to provide that market were simply grotesque.
Major de Valera
In those circumstances, was the prosecution to which I referred——
That is a separate question.
Major de Valera
——completely unrelated to the making of the Order?
The prosecution was an entirely different matter.