asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that considerable quantities of gold, silver and other valuable property are being smuggled out of this country by aliens; and whether he proposes to control such traffic, by the introduction of proposals for legislation to increase substantially the penalties for such offences, or otherwise.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Penalties for Smuggling.
The answer is in the negative. Attempts to smuggle out of the State gold and silver articles have, however, come to my notice. The offenders were prosecuted and severe penalties were imposed. In view of the penalties and forfeitures provided for these offences by the Customs (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1945, further legislation is not considered necessary.
Is the Minister satisfied that in these transactions the real offenders were apprehended and punished or is it true, particularly in the case of two women recently convicted, that in fact it is well known to the police that these two women were merely the agents of a person who is presiding over an organised traffic in this illegal merchandise and is the Minister in a position to say whether this particular person is being kept under observation and whether any action against him is contemplated?
If the Deputy has any information that would lead to a conviction in regard to illegal traffic of this kind I can assure him that I would be delighted if he would give it. I have already said, in reply to Deputy Flanagan, that the cases which came under our notice were brought to the courts and that they were dealt with very severely.
The Minister may be satisfied that if I get any information he will get it immediately from me and that I shall be glad to testify it in public action. I have not got information at present—that is what I am asking the Minister. I want to know if, in fact, he has got that information. Does the Minister know of the existence of a person who employed these women and, if so, is he taking steps to identify and bring that person to justice?
The Deputy is inferring that he has information—and it is information which I want.
Does the Minister believe that the Revenue Commissioners have reason to believe that these women were themselves not principals but agents of a third party? That is what I want to know. Has the Minister any reason to believe that?