As a means towards protecting and developing the Irish woollen weaving industry imports of woollen and worsted piece goods have, since 1935, been prohibited, except under licence, under the Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) Order, 1935. Following representations that imports of spun rayon cloths manufactured to resemble woollen and worsted suitings were being sold here in competition with the products of the woollen weaving industry, the Government, on the 23rd May, 1952, made an Order entitled Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Artificial Silk Piece Goods) (Amendment) Order, 1952, which prohibited, except under licence, the importation of woven piece goods containing more than 85 per cent. by weight of artificial silk staple fibre which exceeded 8 oz. in weight per square yard. This Order was confirmed by resolutions passed by the Dáil and Seanad.
Evidence was later produced to show that certain importers were offering spun rayon suitings and gaberdines containing less than 85 per cent. by weight of artificial silk staple fibre and the continued unrestricted importation of such cloths would have defeated the purpose of the original Order. The Government, accordingly, made a further amending Order in September, 1953, the effect of which was to extend the scope of the quota on spun rayon suitings to cloths of not less than 40 per cent. by weight of artificial silk staple fibre. This Order also was confirmed by resolutions passed by the Dáil and Seanad.
During the year 1954 it was established that substantial orders had been placed with continental suppliers for cloths exceeding 8 oz. in weight per-square yard, which by reason of the introduction of continuous filament rayon fibres and other fibres had been brought outside the scope of the quota. At the same time representations were received from the woollen mills that their production of lightweight cloths not exceeding 8 oz. in weight per square yard was being severely affected by the imports of rayon cloths mainly of continental origin.
As there had already been a number of amendments made it was decided, in the interests of clarity, to codify existing amendments and the further changes necessary to deal with the cloths I have mentioned in one consolidating Order. The Government, accordingly, made a further amending Order to give effect to these proposals. This Order was made by the Government on the 19th October, 1954, and came into operation on the 2nd November, 1954.
Subsequent to the making of the Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Woven Woollen and Synthetic and Artificial Fabrics) (Amendment) Order, 1954, it emerged that certain difficulties had arisen due to an exemption in that Order for cloths containing a fancy weave. On 25th January, 1955, the Government, accordingly, made a further Order entitled Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Woven Woollen and Synthetic and Artificial Fabrics) (Amendment) Order, 1955, revoking this exemption. This Order came into operation on the 1st February, 1955.