asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the employment of the members of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union at Creedon's Wallboard Factory, Kingscourt, County Cavan, is being adversely affected by the importation of large quantities of Scandinavian fibre wallboard, and whether, in view of this and of the fact that the Kingscourt plant is the most modern one of its kind in the world, equipped with the latest American machinery and capable of producing more than 3,000,000 square yards per annum, sufficient to supply the home market and to export, he will prohibit the importation of foreign fibre wallboard.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Protection of Wallboard Industry.
Representations in this matter have been made to me by the firm concerned. The wallboard referred to is liable, on importation, to payment of customs duty at the rate of 6d. per square yard, and that duty is not remitted except in the case of hardboard, which can be used for purposes other than those for which plasterboard made by the firm in question is normally used. I do not feel that I would be warranted in recommending the Government to prohibit the importation of foreign fibre wallboard.