asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will state if there has been any departure from the practice of refusing to issue licences for the import of box boards other than pyramid butter boxes and, if so, to what extent such departure has been made and the cause for making it; further, whether he will state the number of persons to whom licences have been issued for the import of box boards, free of duty, and the quantities which may be imported under such licences.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Licences to Import Box Boards Free of Duty.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Owing to the present difficulties in securing adequate supplies of essential materials for the maintenance of manufacturing operations I have, in a very few instances, recommended the issue of licences for the import of such materials free of duty.
Having regard to the serious dislocation of this industry at the present time and the economic use to which native timber can be put at this juncture, might I suggest that the Minister should be very slow in the giving of any further licences, especially in view of the fact that no hardships are inflicted by the refusal?
I can assure the Deputy that I am very slow to issue any licences, but I have sometimes to take the long view.
Is it correct to say that the Minister has any authority to issue licences at all, but that he may make representations to the Revenue Commissioners to do so?
Well, perhaps, the Deputy is right. The convention is that I am asked would I issue licences.
The Minister is not yet Pooh-Bah.