asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has received from a reputable printing firm in Waterford (details of which have been supplied to his Department) a request for a refund of duty paid amounting to £454 on a commodity imported by them, and an application for a duty free licence for further supplies until such time as the Irish manufacturers of the commodity are in a position to supply 100 per cent. of the firm's requirements; and, if so, what decision he has come to on the matters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Application for Refund of Duty.
Applications for duty-free facilities are decided on the merits of the individual cases. In the case referred to by the Deputy I have concluded that duty should be remitted in respect of all goods imported prior to the end of May last and I have made a recommendation to the Revenue Commissioners accordingly.
The grant of duty-free facilities for imports by the firm after May will depend on whether they are in a position to satisfy me that Irish manufacturers cannot reasonably meet their requirements. This question is at present under examination.