asked the Minister for Health whether his Department was consulted at any time with regard to a duty on the importation of medicines, tablets, etc.; and what decision was arrived at or recommended, and when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Duty on Imported Medicinal Preparations.
5.
My Department was consulted by the Department of Industry and Commerce regarding this duty in February, 1955. Further consultation with that Department took place in February, 1956. On both occasions no objection was raised to the imposition of the duty, on the understanding that the prices of home-manufactured tablets did not materially exceed those of similar products manufactured elsewhere and that there would be no hindrance to or interruption of free importation of tablets which could not be properly manufactured here.
The Department of Industry and Commerce again consulted my Department on this matter in February, 1959, when I indicated that I was in agreement with the views previously taken by my predecessor.
Does the Minister now tell the House that Deputy Norton, when Minister for Industry and Commerce, sent a request to the Minister's predecessor, Deputy T.F. O'Higgins, to agree to the proposals which in fact have now been made as a result of a further request in February, 1959? Is the Minister aware that his predecessor, Deputy T.F. O'Higgins, who, he has now told us, agreed to these duties, on 22nd October in this House, asked the Minister "if he was aware of the grave public anxiety caused by the imposition of duties on certain medicinal tablets?" Is the Minister aware that Deputy T.F. O'Higgins stated his whole consideration in this matter was the sick person? Is the Minister aware that the questions now being put to him are simply a political racket organised by Deputy T.F. O'Higgins and his friends?
Arising out of the Minister's reply and the supplied script to the invited question by Deputy O'Malley, has he examined the drastic increases in the prices of these necessary commodities this week and whether there is any association between such increases and the imposition of these duties——
That is a separate question.
The Deputy has taken the words which I had intended to use in reply to Deputy O'Sullivan out of my mouth.
He having taken the Minister's words out of the Minister's mouth—a fair exchange.
Out of which Deputy's mouth have the words been taken?
The Minister should be allowed to reply without interruption.
In reply to the supplementary question put by Deputy O'Malley I would say that I am aware of everything he has said, but I am not surprised at the inconsistency displayed by any Fine Gael ex-Minister.
Is it a fact that this matter was considered in 1956, 1957 and 1958 and that it was not until 1959 that the tariff was put on?
Will the Minister arrange that the documents which Deputy O'Malley has been quoting will be placed in the Library?
Could I get a reply to my supplementary question, please?
Question No. 6.
Will the Minister say, with regard to the documents Deputy O'Malley has been quoting, whether they will be placed, in accordance with procedure, in the Library?
Deputy O'Malley will place the document on the Table of the House.
Order.
The Deputy may be placed on the Table.
I want to repel the insinuation contained in Deputy Mulcahy's question. There is a restaurant and a smoking-room in the House and perhaps Deputy Lindsay could adjourn there. I wish to repel the innuendo or insinuation contained in Deputy Mulcahy's supplementary question. I have quoted from no documents. I merely stated what has been the Ministerial and Departmental attitude in regard to this question since 1955.
I am asking the Minister, with regard to the documents presented to Deputy O'Malley from which he quoted, whether these documents will be placed in the Library?
The suggestion has been made that a document has been handed to be by the Minister for Health.
Everyone knows that.
I have nothing here but a piece of paper which I took from the Library and on which I made certain quotations of questions put down by Deputy T.F. O'Higgins, the Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Dillon, and Deputy Norton. If anyone wants to examine the said piece of paper he can have a look at it.
Question No. 6.
I must persist in drawing attention to the fact that the Minister has not replied to my supplementary question.
The Deputy is not now entitled to a reply to the supplementary question.