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Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Nov 1955

Vol. 45 No. 6

Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Woven Woollen and Synthetic and Artificial Fabrics) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order, 1955—Motion of Approval.

I move:—

That Seanad Éireann hereby approves of the Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Woven Woollen and Synthetic and Artificial Fabrics) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order, 1955.

As a means towards protecting and developing the Irish woollen weaving industry imports of woollen and worsted piece goods have, since 1935, been prohibited, except under licence, under the Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) Order, 1935. Printed fabrics are not produced by the Irish mills, and accordingly there is an exemption in the quota for such fabrics. Within the past year it came to light that a cloth was on offer to the trade here which had been specially prepared to evade the quota. This cloth had a permanent pattern printed on one side and was finished in such a way that either side could be used as the outer side of a garment, and under the terms of the Order was entitled to be admitted freely.

This evasion of the quota was regarded as a serious threat to the Irish mills. Some of the mills who had gone into production of rayon suitings in a fairly substantial way, found that orders placed with them were not being confirmed as traders feared that when the weakness in the quota became generally known, there would be large-scale importations of cloth designed to evade the quota control.

The Government, accordingly, made an Order deleting the existing exemption for printed fabrics and substituting an exemption for fabrics with a bona fide design or pattern permanently printed or painted thereon which is visible on both surfaces of the fabric. This Order came into operation on the 9th June, 1955.

Question put and agreed to.
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