asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in view of the fact that the heavy duty on imported leather is causing great hardship to shoemakers and increases costs to the consumer, and the fact that it would not be economic to manufacture such leather here owing to the limited home market, he will take steps to abolish the duty or to reduce it substantially.

I am not aware that the duty on leather is causing hardship as suggested in the Deputy's question. The home industry is in a position to meet the full requirements of the home market for sole leather and for most types of upper leather. Duty free licences are granted freely for types of leather not produced here.