Vol. 232 No. 13
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will indicate the extent of and give details of the protection provided for the boot and shoe industry over the past ten years by quota restriction, tariff and licence; if any changes in the form of protection are contemplated; if so, why; and if he will give details, including date of introduction, of the new regulations on the matter.
38.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the quantity and value of footwear imported into this country in each of the past ten years under quota and licence, giving the countries of origin; the categories of such imports, whether men's, ladies', children's, leather, rubber or plastic; and the average price per category for each of the past ten years.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 38 together.
Leather footwear has been protected by import quota over the last ten years and this quota is still in operation. No import duty is payable. Rubber and plastic footwear was protected by import quota up to the 31st December, 1965. Since then protection has been by way of import duty only, the current rates being 54 per cent or 9/- per pair (full) 36 per cent or 6/- per pair (special preferential UK and Northern Ireland).
A change from quota to tariff protection for leather footwear from 1st July, 1968, is envisaged in the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement. Certain proposals have been made by the Irish manufacturers of leather footwear with regard to the protection which should be afforded to that industry, in the period subsequent to 1st July next. These proposals are being examined but I should add that any departure from the arrangement provided for in the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement would require the consent of the British authorities.
Statistical information on the lines requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. I have, however, had a tabular statement prepared, which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report, giving the figures from the annual reports to the Oireachtas, showing the quantities authorised to be imported under quota licences issued by my Department, in so far as these figures are still available. It should be pointed out, however, that the quantities licensed do not necessarily represent the quantities imported.
Following is the statement:
STATEMENT of Quota licences issued, authorising the importation of Footwear.
|
Year |
Leather Footwear |
Rubber or Plastic Footwear |
||
|
Basic Quota |
Supplementary Licences |
Basic Quota |
Supplementary Licences |
|
|
pairs |
pairs |
pairs |
pairs |
|
|
1958 |
100,000 |
50,223 |
55,000 |
not available |
|
1959 |
100,000 |
10,000 |
55,000 |
|
|
1960 |
125,000 |
15,248 |
55,000 |
|
|
1961 |
150,000 |
45,963 |
55,000 |
|
|
1962 |
150,000 |
21,314 |
55,000 |
|
|
1963 |
150,000 |
86,895 |
75,000 |
81,175 |
|
1964 |
165,000 |
123,885 |
150,000 |
31,270 |
|
1965 |
165,000 |
165,904 |
150,000 |
18,294 |
|
1966 |
165,000 |
57,166 |
quota removed |
— |
|
1967 |
165,000 |
127,018 |
— |
— |
NOTES:
(1) The quota which applied to rubber footwear and footwear with rubber soles and textile uppers was, at the request of the principal manufacturers, terminated on 31st December, 1965 and replaced by tariff protection. The tariff covers footwear which is made wholly of rubber or plastic. Footwear with textile uppers was brought under the leather footwear quota.
(2) Basic quota licences allow the importation of any footwear covered by the quota. Supplementary licences are granted for types for which adequate substitutes are not available from Irish manufacturers.
(3) No duty has been payable on footwear imported under quota licences.
