asked the Minister for Finance if, since the conversion of the import levy on newsprint into a permanent duty, he had received representations, protests or applications from the Irish Printing Federation for the reduction or removal of the duty; and, if so, if he will state (a) the date of each such representation, protest or application, (b) its nature or content, and (c) the content of his reply, if any; whether any such representations, protests or applications were made by letter or by deputation; and if he will state the newspapers on behalf of which these representations were made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Duty on Newsprint.
9.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative so far as the Federation, as distinct from its component groups, is concerned; the other parts do not, therefore, arise.
10.
asked the Minister for Finance if, since the conversion of the import levy on newsprint into a permanent duty, he has received representations, protests or applications from the Associated Irish Newspapers for the reduction or removal of the duty; and, if so, if he will state (a) the date of each such representation, protest or application, (b) its nature or content and (c) the content of his reply, if any; whether any such representations, protests or applications were made by letter or by deputation; and if he will state the newspapers on behalf of which these representations were made.
Since the conversion of the special import levy on newsprint into a permanent duty, I received a copy of written representations which The Associated Irish Newspapers made to the Minister for Industry and Commerce in May, 1957, requesting the removal of that duty. I also received similar direct representations, oral and written, respectively, from that body in February and March last. In accordance with my promise to the deputation which I saw in February, and which included representatives of The Associated Irish Newspapers, I gave full consideration to their representations when I was formulating my Budget proposals this year but as already explained to the House I could not see my way to revoke the duty in question. With regard to the last part of the Deputy's question I am not in a position to supply details of all the newspapers represented by that body.
In view of the representations made to the Minister, will he not once again reconsider the question of removing the duty in view of its serious implications for the newspaper industry generally, and in view of the fact that many provincial newspapers find it very hard to make ends meet in the circumstances?
I am not sure if the Deputy was present when I was replying to the Budget debate because I did deal with this matter very fully then. The matter can be reopened only if there is any change in the situation.
Does the Minister not agree that the newspaper industry generally has a legitimate grievance, when, on the one hand, they hear of the Government touting the money markets for capital, at very attractive rates and with attractive tax concessions, while, on the other hand, an established Irish industry is made to trade under very difficult conditions here?
Is it not a fact that this hardship which is imposed on the newspaper industry generally does not bear with any real hardship on the Irish Press, Limited, because that newspaper gets special concessions from paper mills with regard to prices——
Does it?
——and that this is likely to drive other newspapers out of business and leave a monopoly to the Irish Press Limited?
We would be lost only for the Deputy.
If Deputy de Valera could not get it, who could?
Is the Deputy starting now?
(Interruptions.)
Order!
Do we take it that the matter will not remain over until the next Budget but will be reviewed?
If there is any necessity.
Could the Minister review the whole situation again when the controlling Director of the Irish Press is removed from the Cabinet?
The Deputy is learning from his colleague all right.