Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Jul 1949

Vol. 117 No. 7

Additional Estimates, 1949-50. - Imposition of Duties (Confirmation of Orders) (No. 2) Bill, 1949—Second and Subsequent Stages.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. Morrissey)

I move that the Bill be now read a Second Time. The purpose of this short Bill, which might all be contained in the Schedule, is to confirm certain Orders made by the Government under the Emergency Imposition of Duties Act. I do not know whether Deputies desire that I should go into a detailed explanation of each of the six Orders that were made. If that is desired, I can do so, but I was hoping that, as the Bill is not controversial, we might get the House to agree to it. I can give the House detailed information in respect of each of the Orders—the reasons why the duties were imposed are varied—and the results of the impositions, in so far as the results are known. Three or four of the Orders are rather of major importance. They were absolutely essential to enable the industry not merely to expand and develop but to check a bigger falling off in orders which led in some cases to working half-time and, in one or two cases, to very heavy disemployment.

These Orders were made only after the most careful consideration and investigation and I had no hesitation whatever in asking the Government to make them. I felt that it was not merely desirable but essential in the interests of the particular industry concerned that the additional protection should be given. I was also satisfied—and nothing has happened since the imposition of the duties to change my mind on that matter—that not merely would there be no increase in price as a result of the additional protection but that there was a probability of even a reduction in price. I am glad to say that, in respect of some of the Orders which were made, they have enabled the firms concerned to get back to full production and not merely increase the number of people employed in the particular industry but in one or two cases actually reduce the price of the article. In one case, the rate of production this year is double the rate of last year, that is, since they got the additional protection. If any Deputy desires further information or wishes to raise any point, I will be glad to assist him.

Mr. Lemass

So far as I understand the purport of these Orders, we are not opposed to their confirmation. I would like to say, however, in reference to the Minister's remarks that it is undesirable that a Bill of this kind should be circulated at short notice, particularly as Deputies have considerable difficulty in getting copies of the Orders which the Bill proposes to confirm. I had that experience myself in connection with this Bill. Perhaps, if longer notice had been given, the difficulty would not have been so great. I think, however, that it is desirable, in connection with Bills of this kind, that some explanatory memorandum might accompany them or, alternatively, that more copies of the Orders would be made available in the Library. At this hour of the night and period of the session I do not want to press the Minister to make any long statement as to the reason why these Orders were made or as to the results which they have produced. I do not wish it to be taken that in not pressing for such a statement any precedent is being established. I think it is desirable that on Bills of this kind, relating to a number of Ministerial Orders which have not previously been under review in the House, some statement should be made as to the circumstances which led to the making of them and as to the results achieved since they came into force.

So far as I know, there is none of these Orders to which we have any objection to make. It may be that in one or two cases we have some doubts as to whether the measure of protection afforded will prove adequate in the circumstances which appear likely to develop in the course of the next year or so. I assume that if these circumstances do develop there will not be any delay in reviewing the position and making whatever adjustments are necessary. Generally speaking, the Minister may assume that we will support any action which he may take along the lines of providing protection for efficient industries which need it because of circumstances developing in international trade.

I, therefore, do not propose to discuss the individual Orders. It would, however, be a convenience, I impress upon the Minister, to members of the Dáil that where a Bill of this kind, relating to a number of Orders, is submitted to the House, there should be either circulated with it copies of the Orders—which may not be practicable —or, alternatively, a memorandum giving the salient points of these Orders.

Mr. McMenamin

I would like the Minister to give us information with regard to the Cloth Order, which is a major Order. Can we get a guarantee from the manufacturers that they will make this new type of cloth in sufficient quantity to meet the demands of the country because, as far as I understand, hitherto, cloth under seven ounces was exempt from any importation restrictions and that is now reduced to cloth at four and a half ounces and the new duty applies to any cloth over that weight.

With regard to the making of chains, that is a very useful thing but it is mainly an agricultural concern, used by agriculturists. I take it, of course, that the Minister is taking steps to ensure that the prices of these articles will be comparable with the prices of the imported commodities, at least with regard to the cost of production, to the agricultural community.

Mr. Morrissey

I regret if there was any difficulty in getting copies of the Orders. I was not aware that Deputies had any difficulty.

Mr. Lemass

I succeeded in getting copies through the courtesy of the Library.

Mr. Morrissey

I agree with the Deputy that they should be more freely available. I also agree with Deputy Lemass that in dealing with Orders of this kind it would be helpful to Deputies if there were an explanatory memorandum issued with the Bill and, as far as I am concerned, I will endeavour to have that done in future.

With regard to the two points raised by Deputy McMenamin, I do not know what he means by "new cloth".

Mr. MacMenamin

Hitherto cloth under seven ounces was exempt from the Order.

Mr. Morrissey

On that, I can assure the Deputy that there was absolute necessity for varying the weights of the cloth there because the competitors from outside were finding ways and means of slipping in the seven ounce cloth.

Mr. McMenamin

I know that.

Mr. Morrissey

The Deputy can take it that the four and a half ounce limit which is now being fixed will give adequate protection to our own mills while still leaving open the way for importation of the lighter type of cloth which our own people are not making at the moment.

On the question that the Deputy raised about the chains, I can assure him that, nothwithstanding the fact that the Irish manufacturer has to pay a higher price for the raw material than his British competitor, the chains are comparable in quality and the price is the same.

Question put and agreed to.

Agreed to take remaining stages now.

Bill put through Committee and reported without amendment, received for final consideration, and passed.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

This is a Money Bill in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.