Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 20 Mar 1947

Vol. 104 No. 18

Control of Imports Orders.—Motion of Approval.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. Lemass)

I move: —

That Dáil Eireann hereby approves of

Control of Imports (Quotas Nos. 1 to 32) (Amendment) Order, 1939 (Amendment) Order, 1946.

Control of Imports (Quotas Nos. 35 and 36) (Amendment) Order, 1941 (Amendment) Order, 1947.

Control of Imports (Quotas Nos. 37 to 42) (Amendment) Order, 1946.

The Finance Act of 1936 provided for the exemption from customs duty of articles imported in connection with the transatlantic air service. A similar provision was embodied in all the quota Orders that contemplated restrictions on imports. By the Finance Act of 1946 that provision of the 1936 Act was extended to international air services other than transatlantic air services. The purpose of these amending Orders is to effect a similar change in the quotas.

General Mulcahy

Will the Minister say, particularly in relation to the Control of Imports (Quotas Nos. 37 to 42) (Amendment) Order, which deals with certain hats and caps and hoods and shapes, how they are affected by his statement now?

Mr. Lemass

A number of these quotas are suspended but it is desirable to amend the Orders so as to keep them in line with the Finance Act.

General Mulcahy

So in fact there is nothing in these three Orders we have in front of us? It is only a question of drafting?

Mr. Lemass

That is so. All these Orders contain this provision exempting from the scope of the Order articles imported in connection with transatlantic air services. It is proposed to extend that concession to international air services generally.

General Mulcahy

I do not know in what way hats and caps, hoods and shapes, cotton goods and woollen goods, and screws are related to our transatlantic air services.

Mr. Lemass

A very large number of the class of goods to which quota Orders apply are not likely to be imported in connection with transatlantic air services or any air services, but it is desirable that the same form should apply in all these cases.

General Mulcahy

It is a question merely of drafting?

Mr. Lemass

Yes.

Question put and agreed to.