asked the Minister for Finance the value and number of "home made" brooms, besoms, imported into this country in 1987 and 1988; the Department(s) using such items; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Importation of Brooms.
81.
"Home made" brooms and besoms are not separately identified in the Customs and Excise Tariff of Ireland. The available information identifying brooms and besoms is given in the following table:
Imports of Brooms and Besoms in 1987 and January to November 1988*
|
1987 |
Jan-Nov. 1988 |
|||
|
Tonnes |
£ |
Tonnes |
£ |
|
|
Brooms and brushes, consisting of twigs or other vegetable materials bound and not mounted in a head (e.g. besoms and whisks), with or without handles |
20 |
31,930 |
16 |
42,915 |
|
Road sweeping brushes; household type brooms and brushes, including shoe brushes and clothes brushes, brushes for grooming animals |
134 |
381,435 |
80 |
299,184 |
|
Prepared knots and tufts for broom and brush making |
22 |
40,398 |
— |
— |
*The latest period in 1988 for which data is available.
In general it should be noted that commodity detail from external trade statistics does not include: (a) transactions (non-dutiable) of less than £200 for 1987 and 1988; (b) trade by firms operating in Shannon Free Airport; and (c) postal packages not covered by customs entries.
The central purchasing section of the Department of Defence (up to 31 December 1987) and the Government Supplies Agency (since 1 January 1988) arranged for the purchase of 9,784 brushes/brooms various for Government Departments during 1987 and 7,220 during 1988. All the brushes purchased were of Irish manufacture.
The list of the Departments who requisitioned these items is as follows:
|
1887 |
1988 |
|
Defence |
Labour |
|
Industry and Commerce |
Office of Public Works |
|
Social Welfare |
Justice |
|
Education |
Defence |
|
Taoiseach |
Taoiseach |
|
Justice |
Finance |
|
Labour |
Education |
|
Tourism and Transport |
Social Welfare |
|
Finance Office of |
Industry and Commerce |
|
Public Works |
|
|
Energy |
|
|
Marine |
|
|
Agriculture and Food |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
Oireachtas |