asked the Minister for Supplies if he will reconsider his refusal to grant an export licence for a cross manufactured in Éire for use in a church in County Fermanagh, and if, further, he is aware that supplies of raw material suitable for this work are at present being exported.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fermanagh Church Cross—Export Licence.
I regret that I am unable to depart from my decision in this matter. The statement in the second part of the Deputy's question is hot fully correct inasmuch as licences are not being granted for the export of new copper of which a not inconsiderable quantity was used in the manufacture of the cross which it was desired to export.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, the raw materials for the production of articles of bronze, etc., from a foundry are produced in this country just the same as potatoes and wheat are grown. I do not mean to say that we have copper mines or that we have spelter and various other commodities, but there is a constant supply of scrap which is being gleaned all over the country and, as far as my information goes, there is a surplus. I do not understand why the Minister should hold up the export of an article such as this cross. It will only result in all the employment here being discontinued. The Minister is quite wrong in thinking that new copper has to be brought into this country to manufacture an article such as that. It is obtained from clippings and scrap and various other things.
The applicants for the licence stated that the shaft of the cross was composed of about 60 Ibs. of new copper bar, the export of which is prohibited.
Is it a fact that the Minister has prohibited the sending of a cross manufactured in Éire to a church in Fermanagh?
We have prohibited the export of new copper, or articles made from new copper, which is at present unobtainable.
And that includes a cross manufactured here for a church in Fermanagh?
It includes anything manufactured from new copper.
Either the Minister is correct in his statement or I am. If I can prove to the Minister that new copper bar is not required, will he grant an export licence?
The applicant for the licence stated that 60 Ibs. of new copper bar were comprised in this particular cross.
If he is prepared to state that there was none required, will he get a licence?
There is no prohibition on the export of scrap copper.
It is not scrap copper. It is going out as a bronze cross.
There is no prohibition on articles made from scrap copper.
If he is able to state that, will he get his licence?
Certainly.