asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state, having regard to the fact that the amount collected by the Exchequer in duty on perry is now less than one fifth of the amount collected four years ago and that neither the distributive trades nor the consuming public has benefited by this decrease, what steps he proposes to take to ensure a reduction in price commensurate with the reduction in duty.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Perry.
18.
I am informed that the rate of customs duty or excise duty payable on perry has not been reduced within the past five years. In the circumstances the question of a reduction in price because of a reduction in duty does not arise.
Am I to understand from the Minister that he is not aware of the reply given by the Minister for Finance in this House within the week indicating that the amount collected in duty is now less than one-fifth of what was collected four years ago? It is now being collected as an excise duty and not a customs duty, but the benefit has not been passed on to the consumer.
There is a certain amount of confusion in the situation and the Deputy is adding to that confusion. The reduction in the customs duty is, of course, due to the production in this country of this commodity. There has not been a reduction in the excise or customs duty payable. There have been increases in the costs of production which have not been passed on to the customer, as the Deputy should be aware——
The rate of duty remains the same. The Exchequer is getting less than one-fifth of what it got four years ago.
Because the commodity is now being produced in Ireland and not being imported.
I did not create confusion.
The Deputy articulated it.