asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has any further statement to make on the steps he intends to take on 1st July to change the tariff and quota situation regarding boots and shoes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Boot and Shoe Industry.
84.
No doubt, the Deputy has seen the public statement I made last Friday announcing the result of discussions I had with the British authorities following my recent meetings with the Irish footwear industry. It has been agreed that quota protection for the Irish industry will be continued for a further period of two years, that is, up to 30th June, 1970, but at an increased rate of 185,000 pairs per annum. The necessary arrangements for the issue of quota licences are being made by my Department.
As from 1st July, 1970, the quota will be replaced by customs duties. The full rate of duty will then be 54 per cent ad valorem or 9/- per pair, whichever is the greater, and the corresponding rate for British footwear will be 22½ per cent or 3/9 per pair. Thereafter, the duty on British footwear will be reduced in equal annual instalments of 4½ per cent.
May I assume the Minister has received the representations communicated to him through me and that full weight was given to these representations on behalf of boot manufacturers, particularly from County Monaghan, prior to arriving at this decision?
I received representations from a number of quarters in this regard. I recall the representations received through Deputy Dillon to which he refers. They were not the only representations I received.
May I assume that they were carefully considered and that this decision was arrived at only after such careful consideration?
The Deputy may take it that any representations received were carefully considered.
Including those?
Yes.
The representations from the boot and shoe operatives trade union would have a fair bearing on the matter?
I might argue that.