andMr. Harte asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider granting concession passes to Donegal motorists passing through the Border en route from one part of the Republic to another.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Border Concession Passes.
41.
Concession passes for motor vehicles are issued to persons such as clergymen and doctors in order to enable them, when engaged solely on their professional duties, to enter or leave the State by approved roads outside the prescribed hours or by unapproved roads at any hour. The issue of such passes to Donegal motorists generally could not be contemplated because of the obvious risk of abuse.
Is the Minister aware that all train transport into Donegal has now ceased and that we have to depend entirely on road transport for our exits from and entry into the county? In view of the exceptional circumstances, would the Minister make representations to the Revenue Commissioners to issue these concession passes?
I do not think it is a case of making representations to the Revenue Commissioners; it is a case of altering the law and the policy pursued so far. I do not think it could be done.
The British Government have done it.
Why is it that a Donegal man must pay 4/- to his own Government to go home from his capital city to his county? Yet, the Fianna Fáil Party say they want to unite the country. The British authorities allow you to go home but if you do not pay the sum to the Irish customs at the Border, you must stop there.
We are giving better service on our side and it has to be paid for.
We are certainly building up a bigger barrier on our side than are the British.
Who started to build it up?
I do not know.