asked the Minister for Finance if he is prepared to take such steps as are necessary to permit the importation, free of the special import levy, of fruits, nuts and dried fruit, including currants, raisins, sultanas, etc., during the Christmas period in order to avoid the great hardship which will otherwise be experienced, particularly by the less well-off members of the community.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Levy on Fruit and Nuts.
No. The commodities mentioned in the question clearly fall within the category of less essential imports which the Special Import Levies are designed to discourage.
In view of the fact that housekeepers, in rural Ireland especially, have suffered a severe loss of income by reason of the fact that the price of turkeys has declined considerably, would the Minister not agree now to meet them in some little regard by enabling them to buy fruit, for Christmas cakes and so forth, at a more reasonable price?
You could not do it now, obviously.
I must confess that I was always taught by my wife that Christmas cakes were baked a long time before Christmas to be ready for Christmas.
Would the Minister not agree that it would have been a desirable thing to consider in view of the fact that the Minister for Agriculture is not in a position, as we accept his word, at the moment, to do anything about giving a more reasonable or just price for turkeys? Surely the Minister for Finance is in a position to compensate the housewives in some other fashion?
The Deputy will see from figures which will be announced this evening that the measures which have been taken by the Government to rectify the balance of payments position are having a very satisfactory effect.
Not on the Christmas dinners.