I move:
That Dáil Éireann hereby approves of the Sugar (Prohibition of Import) Order, 1961.
This motion seeks confirmation of the Sugar (Prohibition of Import) Order, 1961. Under the Sugar (Control of Import) Act, 1936, the Government are empowered to prohibit, by order, the importation of sugar except under licence. Such orders have been made annually from that date, and the effect of the current order is to continue for a further period of 12 months from 1st January, 1962, the prohibition on the import of sugar by persons other than Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teo. The making of the order must be followed by a motion of approval in each House of the Oireachtas.
The purpose of the order is to reserve the home market for sugar produced from beet grown within the country. There is a licensing provision which permits the import of sugar, but that licensing provision is limited to Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teo. The company avails itself of the provision to import raw sugar to be refined in this country, with a view to facilitating the export trade in sugar and sugar goods.
The order is in the same form as has been passed by each House of the Oireachtas since 1936 and I commend it to the House.