I move:—
That Dáil Éireann hereby approves of:—
Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Woven Woollen and Synthetic and Artificial Fabrics) (Amendment) Order, 1958.
Quota Order No. 13 is the Order which restricts the importation of woven piece goods or synthetic materials. There is exemption in that Order for brocade or tapestry cloth. That exemption was designed to exclude from the scope of the Order furnishing fabrics of a kind not produced by Irish mills. It was reported that bedspread material of synthetic composition was being imported under that exemption. The effect of the amending Order is to bring within the scope of Quota Order No. 13 brocade and tapestry cloths which exceed 56 inches in width. Bedspread material similar to the type which has been imported is manufactured by a couple of firms in this country. There is a customs duty of 50 per cent. on made-up bedspreads and bedspread material exceeding 60 per cent. weight of cotton is subject to import restriction under Quota Order No. 45.
That protection was rendered ineffective by this importation to which I have referred of synthetic brocade material up to 90 inches in width which was documented as material for making into bedspreads and quilts. Furnishing brocades and tapestry cloths do not normally exceed 56 inches in width and bona fide importations of materials of that kind will not be affected by the withdrawal of the exemption for brocades and tapestry limited to cloths exceeding 56 inches in width.