Vol. 219 No. 7
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why imports of domestic drinking glasses were permitted to quadruple in 1964 compared with imports in 1961; and what steps will be taken to increase the manufacturing capacity here and remove the necessity for such imports.
102.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why imports of glassware nearly trebled between 1960 and 1964; if steps will be taken to reverse this trend; and if so, the nature of such.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together.
I am aware that imports of drinking glasses and glassware have increased substantially in the periods mentioned.
As regards drinking glasses, the demand for these has risen substantially in recent years. Home production has, however, expanded to meet the increased demand. I am advised that a proportion of the imported glasses comprises varieties of a kind that could not be produced economically here.
With regard to the other types of domestic glassware, the only manufacturer of these items went out of business about two years ago. I am not aware of any proposal for the manufacture of this type of glassware.
