asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the extent to which the removal of tariffs and quotas to date has contributed to the State's growing unfavourable trade balance; and whether it is proposed to vary tariffs and quotas to correct the unfavourable trends.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Variations of Tariffs and Quotas.
21.
Mr. Ryan
The volume of imports is capable of being influenced by factors other than tariffs and quotas and there is no reason to believe that the reductions in protection have had any significant adverse bearing on the trade balance.
Mr. Ryan
Would the Minister give a definition of the word "significant"?
I only repeat what is a fact, that so far as the Minister for Industry and Commerce is concerned, he is not aware of any significant increase in imports that have come from lower rates of duty as distinct from increased consumer demand, or the import of raw materials, or of capital equipment, all of which affect the balance of payments.
Mr. Ryan
May we then assume that there is an increase attributable to the tariff——
This is merely an argument. The Deputy must ask the question and not put forward an argument.