asked the Taoiseach the quantity and value of Japanese tyres imported into the Republic during each of the last three years; and the names of the importers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Japanese Tyre Imports.
7.
The quantity and value of tyres imported from Japan in each of the years 1969, 1970 and 1971 were respectively, 31,428 tyres, value £96,211; 32,899 tyres, value £252,923 and 55,162 tyres, value £301,719. Import transactions of individual concerns must be treated as confidential.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary agree with me when I say that the sole importer of these tyres is a prominent member of the Fianna Fáil Party?
I have not got the remotest idea.
The Parliamentary Secretary certainly has.
I have not got the remotest idea.
Question No. 8.
May I ask a supplementary question?
Deputy Corish gave no indication.
All I can do is stand up, unless the Chair wants me to whistle. May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary why it was necessary to import so many tyres at such a high cost over the past three years?
The particular type of tyres which were imported were not manufactured in Ireland.
Could they not be made in Cork?
I should like to make the point that imported motor car tyres are subject to a very heavy duty.
Could these tyres not have been made in this country?
To the best of my knowledge, no.
The Parliamentary Secretary's knowledge is very limited.
I accept that. I do not have to crawl across the floor of the House and apologise.