asked the Taoiseach if he will state for the years 1957, 1958 and 1959 the value and description of second-hand agricultural machinery imported.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports of Second-hand Agricultural Machinery.
2.
All imports are brought to account under the headings in the Official Import List and since no distinction is made in that list between new and second-hand agricultural machinery the information requested by the Deputy is not available.
In view of the fact that there is a tariff on new machinery, surely it would not be impossible to distinguish between new agricultural machinery and second-hand agricultural machinery? Surely there must be some figures kept to indicate whether or not a substantial amount of agricultural machinery was imported?
I understand there is a tariff on the second-hand machinery as well as the new machinery.
Is that a fact? I should like to know that definitely.
I think the duty to which the Deputy refers applies to all machinery irrespective of whether it is new or second-hand. However, I should not like to be taken as authoritative on that.