asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement concerning the elimination of the protective quota system for the footwear industry at the end of this month; and if he is aware of the serious repercussions on exports and employment the intended revision will have.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Footwear Quota System.
13.
By arrangement with the UK authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Free Trade Area Agreement quota protection on leather footwear was due to be removed on 1st July, 1968.
At the request of a section of the footwear industry, the quota was continued for a further period of two years with the agreement of the UK authorities and will be discontinued globally on 1st July, 1970. As from that date, leather footwear will be subject to the following tariff rates:—
Full—54 per cent or 9s per pair*.
Special Preferential—36 per cent or 6s per pair*.
United Kingdom—22½ per cent or 3s 9d per pair*.
*[Whichever is the greater].
I do not accept that the elimination of the quota restrictions will have serious repercussions on exports or employment.