asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that serious inconvenience is being caused to farmers and others at present owing to the fact that washing soda which is used for the spraying of potatoes is being held up by the Customs authorities at the ports and border stations, and if he will take steps to have deliveries made without further delay, in view of the fact that the main food of the country is endangered.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - WASHING SODA DELIVERIES.
I am not aware that any consignments of washing soda, intended for agricultural use, are at present detained by the Customs authorities. The position with regard to washing soda imported for spraying purposes is briefly this: the importer is required to give an undertaking that the washing soda will be used only for agricultural purposes and to produce to a Customs officer evidence to this effect, if called upon to do so, when delivery without payment of duty will be allowed. The onus of promptly furnishing this undertaking and of making arrangements for the expeditious clearance of the goods devolves solely on the importer. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
I may add for the Deputy's information that provision for exemption of this article as such is included in Section 16 of this year's Finance Bill.