Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 1968

Vol. 232 No. 12

Committee on Finance. - Imposition of Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Bill, 1967: Financial Resolution.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. Colley)

I move:

(1) That the Minister for Industry and Commerce may by order provide for the imposition of customs duties (to be known as provisional duties) for such period, not exceeding six months and on such goods imported into the State (being goods of a kind which, in the opinion of a commission to be known as An Coimisiún um Mí-Allmhairiú may be the subject of injurious dumping) as may be specified in the order.

(2) That the Government may by order provide for the imposition of customs duties (to be known as anti-dumping duties) on such goods imported into the State (being goods in relation to which or goods of a kind in relation to which there has been dumping or it has been established to the satisfaction of a commission to be known as An Coimisiún um Mí-Allmhairiú that there has been injurious dumping) as may be specified in the order.

(3) That the Government may by order provide for the imposition of customs duties (to be known as countervailing duties) on such goods imported into the State (being goods of a kind in relation to which it has been established to the satisfaction of the Government that another government or any other authority outside the State have given a subsidy on their production or export) as may be specified in the order.

(4) That the Government may by order provide for the imposition of a levy on goods dumped in the State before the making of the order where they are satisfied it is necessary to do so to prevent a recurrence of the dumping.

Mr. Donegan

Of course these orders are the result of the position as we find it and it is necessary that we have this anti-dumping legislation. The Minister must assume responsibility until the Commission sits, and he seeks responsibility for six months. The various paragraphs of the motion cover the different situations that might arise. We on this side of the House have no objection to giving the Minister this power. We want to say, however, that it is an indication of the difficulty that lies before us, that the defence of jobs will be far more important than new ones. That is not to say that we should not be high-powered in our approach and should not make every endeavour to create new jobs.

While there will be changes in employment and people will have to move, one of the big problems will be to keep the jobs we have. In the background of all this is the fact that it is not clear at all that our system of adaptation grants has been successful. It is now clear that the money has been given to people who have been in industry for years and who find it attractive enough in times of credit squeeze to avail of these adaptation grants.

If you get 25 per cent of the cost, you must find the 75 per cent elsewhere from profits which are quite unavailable to some enterprises or individuals at present. It would be unwise if these measures were passed without calling attention to the fact that there are defensive jobs, made necessary by our present structure here, a structure for which the Fianna Fáil Party and its type of structure are probably most responsible. I agree that at the start of the industrial move in the State the paramount aim was to provide jobs.

Mr. Carty

I am delighted to hear Deputy Donegan admit that the industrial movement began with Fianna Fáil.

Mr. M.P. Murphy

What about the Shannon Scheme?

Mr. Donegan

I called a House and brought Deputy Carty's minions from their various haunts but he might note that I did not interrupt his Minister. In fact, my questions were courteous. He may also notice that the Minister and I are almost always courteous to each other.

Mr. Carty

And so am I.

Mr. Donegan

If Deputy Carty would cease interrupting, I could deal with the matter myself.

Mr. Carty

I was helping you.

Mr. Donegan

I would deal with it more efficiently than Deputy Carty. Fianna Fáil have been in power but the battle to sustain industry took up a long time in the 1922-32 era. The legislation governing the establishment of industry is of consequence. I agree that Fianna Fáil had no choice at the start——

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I must interrupt the Deputy. We can deal only with the Resolution.

Mr. Donegan

I will develop it for Deputy Carty in a moment. Willy-nilly Fianna Fáil had to find jobs and now it has to be said that our industry is not at the stage when it can compete in conditions of free trade and, therefore, this anti-dumping legislation is necessary. However, such legislation will not succeed because there are too many ways of giving a hand-back. It never succeeded, as anyone in commerce and trade knows.

Mr. M.P. Murphy

Would the Minister say what is covered in this measure?

Mr. Colley

All goods.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Minister, to reply.

Mr. Colley

Briefly to reply, it is intended to cover all goods if they are dumped within the definition of the Act. I want to reply to Deputy Donegan and say two things. We in Fianna Fáil are very proud of the fact that we are responsible for industry and the structure of industry in this country.

Mr. Carty

Hear, hear.

Mr. Colley

This, however, is not something peculiar to the structure of Fianna Fáil. It is necessary legislation in most countries when industry is highly developed.

Mr. Donegan

It is more necessary here.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolution reported and agreed to.