The first of the Resolutions reimposes, with some slight modification, duties which have been already effective under the various Emergency Orders. It is considered that it would be undesirable to make permanent, by a Confirming Bill, these agricultural tariffs until the Dáil has been afforded an opportunity of discussing them on a Financial Motion. After they are agreed to they will be confirmed by a Bill and the Emergency Orders, so far as they have imposed these duties, will be amended in order to delete them.
With regard to Financial Motion 2, it imposes a preferential rate of duty of three-fourths of the full rate on potatoes imported from Commonwealth countries. By the Finance (Customs Duties) (No. 2) Act, 1932, potatoes from Commonwealth countries were originally admitted free. This position was changed by an Emergency Order. Financial Motion No. 3 imposes a preferential rate of two-thirds of the full rate on cut flowers imported from Commonwealth countries. Section 2 of the Finance (Customs Duties) (No. 2) Act, 1932, originally provided that cut flowers from these countries should be free.
I suggest that, as the House will have an opportunity of discussing the principle of these motions when the Finance Bill comes before the Dáil in due course, it would be desirable to allow the Resolutions to go through to-day. I want to make it quite clear that no new duties are being imposed. It is merely to give the House an opportunity, at an early date, of discussing certain of the duties imposed by the Emergency Orders that they are being brought before the House in this way in order that they may form the basis of a Bill which will be submitted to the House in due course.
