asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find a gentleman's outfitters in which the stock and display of British manufactured shirts does not take priority over Irish manufactured shirts; if he will state the present customs duties and restrictions applicable to the importation of foreign shirts; and the steps being taken to promote the manufacture and sale of Irish shirts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Shirts.
33.
I am informed that certain Dublin men's outfitters tend to highlight the imported article rather than the Irish one. I am satisfied, however, that this practice is not general in Dublin or in the country as a whole.
The present rates of customs duty on imported shirts are: full and preferential 36 per cent; preferential 24 per cent and United Kingdom and Northern Ireland 14.4 per cent ad valorem. In addition to the ad valorem rates there is a specific duty on men's shirts costing 8s each or less, of 2s 10.6d each where they are of United Kingdom and Northern Ireland origin, or 4s 9.6d each on such shirts originating elsewhere. Boys' shirts costing 5s each or less attract, in addition to the ad valorem duty, a specific duty of 1s 11d each in the case of United Kingdom and Northern Ireland shirts and 3s 2.4d each in the case of shirts of other origin.
The total value of made up textile articles, including shirts, that may be imported from 16 specific low cost countries is limited to £100,000 per annum. Shirt manufacturers are eligible for technical assistance, readaptation and re-equipment grants to enable them to operate more competitively. The sale of Irish made shirts is included in the promotional activities of the National Development Association.
Has the Minister the figure for the number of Irish shirts manufactured in recent years? How do they compare with others?
I have not got the figure of Irish shirts. They would not arise from the question.
The Minister seems to be very badly briefed.
That is by inference an attack on the officials of my Department. There is not any reason why I should specifically have that information. I think Deputy Ryan will accept this.
I made no such implication.
I am prepared to withdraw the remark.
I accept that. It was Deputy Belton.
(Interruptions.)
The Minister said he was sorry that he did not have the information.
If supplementary questions are going to be so far outside the subject-matter of the question——
The Minister did not say that. He said he was sorry he did not have the information.
Is it to be taken that there is an acknowledgement that there is a practice to promote the sale of British and foreign shirts in Dublin? Is the Minister aware that if one goes from here to Dame Street one will find in all the gentlemen's outfitters, except one, that it is only British shirts that are on exhibition in the shop windows? Will the Minister not exhort retailers to have regard to the national duty of promoting the sale of Irish goods which in many cases are of better quality because Irish shirt manufacturers are not exporting more shirts than they are selling on the home market?
It is obvious that the Minister is not interested.
(Interruptions.)
I fully agree with Deputy Ryan's sentiments on this matter. Deputy O'Leary suggests that the Minister is not interested but I spoke on this specific subject when replying to the debate on the Estimate for my Department. Deputy Ryan asked if I was aware that there was only one shop between here and Dame Street offering Irish-manufactured shirts in the window. I am not specifically so aware but I am aware that far too many shops that are inclined to describe themselves as the "pricey" and "quality" shops apparently insist that quality and foreign products go together. I want to make quite clear that anything I can do to discourage that type of development I shall do. I appeal to those on the Labour side of the House to use whatever good offices they have with the trade unions to arrange with people in the distributive trade to help their workers——
We are not interested in gentlemen's shirts but in mens' shirts.
If the Deputy does not think he is a gentleman that is all right with me. I think I have got the message across.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Corry could not get Irish socks years ago.
This is still the problem.