At the outset may I thank you, Sir, for affording me this opportunity to raise an issue that will be of great importance not alone to my constituents but to many others around the country, particularly those employed at ferry ports or Border posts in the future.
It is expected that on 1 January 1993 customs import and export documentation in intra-Community trade will no longer be required. It is also expected that, on the same date, the collection of VAT and customs and excise duties at internal EC frontier points will cease. The implications of the relevant regulations will be very severe and will have an impact all around this country. I want this evening in particular to highlight these implications on Rosslare harbour ferry port in my constituency.
The effect will be that out of some 50 Customs and Excise staff currently employed at Rosslare harbour 43 may well be made redundant. Taking into account the age and circumstances of the 50 people affected — options that might spring to mind of, for example, early retirement or transfer, are not desired, reasonable or acceptable.
I raise the matter this evening well in advance of the actual implementation of this tax harmonisation proposal so that we may have a clear indication from the Minister how he will tackle the problem. In a small community such as that located at Rosslare harbour these 50 well paid jobs form a crucial part of the local scene and environment. They are a mainstay of the local community. Indeed they, their families or the local community cannot afford to be at the loss of their wages and input into local economy.
I call on the Minister to allay the apprehension and uncertainty clearly felt already among those workers by indicating to the House this evening what proposals, if any, he has in regard to them. Let me put it to the Minister that the option preferred by those employees is that they be absorbed into the Revenue Commissioners' activities in the local area so that they and their families can remain at their base, contributing to the local economy and that this absorption should begin very soon so that there would not be a sudden impact felt in January 1993.
I want to raise one other germane point related to a parliamentary question I tabled to the Minister which was answered yesterday. There will be job losses also among the Customs and Excise officials in Rosslare harbour resulting from computerisation which will take place as early as next year, 1991. I was very dissatisfied at the answer I received from the Minister yesterday. It would be my hope that in highlighting — by way of parliamentary question and this Adjournment Debate — these very important issues the Minister will indicate to us that they are under active consideration and that he has a strategy to enable these important personnel to remain within the communities of which they form such an important part at present.