I should just like to know, for the reassurance of the public, that this will prevent the illegal export of pigs across the Monaghan border, that we will not have any recurrence——
Vote put and agreed to. - Customs Bill, 1955—Committee and Final Stages.
Sections 1 and 2 agreed to.
SECTION 3.
Question proposed: "That Section 3 stand part of the Bill".
Is it significant that the Deputy looks behind him when he makes that statement?
After all, we all know that the Minister for Agriculture has friends in Monaghan who do occasionally deal in pigs. That is really what I had in mind. I am very sorry my colleague, Deputy Smith, is not here because he might tell the Minister for Finance a little bit more. However, I am sure the Minister will be able to confirm what I have gathered from a study of Section 3, that in so far as it does prevent the export of any goods in contravention of any enactment or statutory instrument, the word "goods" there would, of course, include live stock.
Might I ask the Minister, for the benefit of the public, could he say where the public can get a list of what is contemplated to be covered in this Bill? I do not know whether he knows or not that there is a variety of goods which come in here from overseas and which are exported. I do not know to what particular items this Bill refers and perhaps the Minister could give us some information.
I do not know whether Deputy MacEntee is serious or not. I assume that he was not, for a variety of reasons, one being that I would not like to make any other Deputy sitting in the House at the moment uncomfortable. As I understand the situation, the list in respect of export prohibitions is included also in the tariff list. Deputy Briscoe will understand, in respect of exports, the Minister for Finance and the Revenue Commissioners are not acting so to speak, on their own account, but as the agents of other Departments. In respect of imports, we are, of course, acting on our own account, because of the duty element involved. In respect of exports, no duty element is involved and we are merely acting as agents for the other Departments.
In the tariff list, the Deputy will find also a list of the articles the export of which is prohibited. I do not know whether the Deputy is referring to articles the export of which is prohibited in that way, or whether he is referring to articles the export of which is prohibited in a different way, namely, because of the factor of exchange control—the amount of hard currency that has to be provided for the purpose of bringing the goods in and then adding the necessary amount of work and labour here before they can be re-exported. That is a different matter. I hope the Deputy will find that he will get what he wants in the tariff list issued by the Revenue Commissioners. If he does not, I suggest that he might apply to the Department which would be concerned with the particular type of article and I am sure they will supply him with the list. If he fails with them and he applies to me, I will do my best to assist him.
Question put and agreed to.
Sections 4 to 13, inclusive, agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment, received for final consideration and passed.