asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will place a duty on imports of foreign shoes which are having a serious effect on the Irish shoe manufacturing industry.
369.
Written Answers. - Footwear Industry.
368.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps he has taken, following his statement at the Shoe Fair, to assist the footwear industry.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 369 together.
At present there is a duty on all imported footwear. The duty ranges from 10 per cent on United Kingdom footwear to 40.4 per cent on footwear imported from non-EEC countries. I am aware that the footwear industry, in common with certain other sectors of industry, is facing difficulty at present for a number of reasons, including the growth in imports. It will be appreciated that the restriction of imports has implications in relation to our international obligations, including the obligations arising from our membership of the EEC. The whole matter is at present being examined, and the interests of the footwear industry will be taken into account in any measures which the Government may decide upon for dealing with the present difficult economic situation.