asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that two bands on their way to attend the Seán MacDermott commemoration at Kiltyclogher, sligo, on 16th May last, were refused entrance at the Border by preventive officers of the Republic until the sum of £4 16s. was paid in respect of their instruments; and if, in view of the strong feeling aroused by the incident, he will make a statement in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Sligo Commemoration.
The bands in question were not refused admittance at the Border. One of the bands had made prior arrangements for the attendance of an officer at an unapproved road and, having duly complied with customs requirements, was admitted without delay. The other band arrived without prior notice and was found by the officer some distance inside the Border. On being questioned as to his failure to comply with the regulations, the leader replied that he saw no reason why he could not enter the State without formality. The band was allowed to proceed and the requisite fee was afterwards collected by the officer.
I may add that as musical instruments are liable to customs duty there must be some control on their importation. Such control is as mild as can be devised in the circumstances.
Having regard to the national sentiments involved does the Minister consider that he should take steps to ensure that there would be no petty interference with people taking part in such ceremonies and thus avoid that state of ill-feeling which the action referred to on this occasion did cause on both sides of the Border?
As the Deputy already has heard there must be some control in view of the duty and it is as mild as can be devised in the circumstances. The only requirement, in fact, is a prior request so that an officer can be available on an unapproved road. One of the bands in question complied with that; the other did not, but notwithstanding the fact that there was no compliance with the requirements, because of the very nature of the ceremony, the officer in question permitted the band to pass through in breach of the regulations.
I must only say that my information was to the effect that the band was stopped and not permitted to cross until the collection of the sum of money mentioned in the question was made. Perhaps I have been wrongly informed.
I think that the Deputy was misinformed on two points. First, I think that the sum of money mentioned covered both bands, and, secondly, the allegations concerned were considered so serious that a senior officer was sent to make inquiries on the spot, and the results of those inquiries are borne out by two members of each of the two guilds concerned in the incident.