asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the amount of Scotch whisky at present being imported in very large quantities; if he will give details of such imports; if he is aware that there is an effort on foot to prevent the sale of Irish whiskey on the home market, and to have it replaced by quantities of Scotch whisky; and if he will make a statement on the matter and institute full enquiries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Scotch Whisky Imports.
33.
No separate figures for imports of Scotch whisky are available from official sources. Imports of whisky from Great Britain and the Six Counties in recent years were as follows:— 1960: 111,527 proof gallons, 1961: 143,362 proof gallons, 1962: 154,405 proof gallons.
I have no information on the other matters referred to by the Deputy.
Are those calendar years or financial years?
I am afraid I have not got that information here.
In view of the fact that the Irish distilling industry provides much needed employment and that the raw materials it uses come from agriculture, what steps have the Government taken to see that this industry is not allowed to deteriorate?
There is not a word about that in this Question.
I am talking about Scotch whisky. I want to see that the Irish distilling industry is not damaged.
Why then does the Deputy not help me?
I may not be a judge of good whiskey but I stand for Irish whiskey anytime. That is more than the Front Bench of Fianna Fáil stand for, because they all drink Scotch.
That is one of the most unfounded of all Deputy Flanagan's unfounded allegations.
There is more Scotch whisky sold in the bar than Irish whiskey.
Hear, hear! I agree, but look to your own house first.
I do not care if you drink it from Pakistan. I want to see Irish whiskey sold in this country. There is a distillery in my own constituency.
Will Deputy Flanagan please allow the business of the Dáil to go on?
This is the business of the Dáil.
I can judge the business of the Dáil, not the Deputy.
This is his first day for a long time. He is working off a bit of excess energy.
In view of the seriousness of it, I should like to raise this matter on the Adjournment.