asked the Minister for Finance whether he will consider issuing licences for the importation of milk free of duty by creameries near the Border which draw a large part of their supplies from the Six Counties and which cannot carry on without these supplies, as in the case of the Pettigo Co-operative Society.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Border Creameries and Milk Tariff.
I am informed that the Minister for Agriculture has already issued licences under Article 5 of the Customs Duties (Milk and Cream) (Provisional Imposition) Order, 1932, in all cases of separating stations or creameries in the Saorstát (including Pettigo) normally receiving supplies of milk or cream from Northern Ireland.
Will the same facilities be granted to the owners of donkey carts and horse carts coming in? Is the Minister aware of the chaos that has existed along the Border for the past week, principally in connection with the creameries?
As I have said, licences have been issued in all cases. It would appear that the difficulty arose from something other than the issue of licences. Those who have carts and who cross the Border are compelled to go by approved roads to certain central stations, clearing stations. It is really on that account that the difficulty arose. Representations have been made by the Minister for Agriculture to the Revenue Commissioners in order to see whether that difficulty could be obviated.
My supplementary question had reference to the trouble in connection with the passage of donkey and horse carts—two-wheeled vehicles. There has been chaos during the past week in connection with those vehicles.
Could the Minister for Finance not give some kind of covering permit to habitual suppliers of these creameries-temporarily at least-that would enable them to pass the Customs stations without going through the accustomed formalities? As it is, the ordinary small farmers are detained at the Customs stations and they have to go through elaborate formalities before they can pass.
I can assure Deputies that the matter is being examined carefully and everything possible will be done to obviate any difficulties that exist.