Vol. 197 No. 3
asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the heavy financial losses sustained by the delay in delivery of a large Dutchman poultry feeder to a poultry farm on the Courtown Estate, County Wexford; and if he will make an ex gratia payment to the owner of this farm to compensate him for his losses caused by the untoward delay in the customs at Waterford.
12.
asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that a large Dutchman feeder consigned to a big poultry farm on the Courtown Estate, County Wexford was held up in the customs at Waterford from last May until the latter part of September; and if he can state the reason for this very great delay.
13.
asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that an import licence was issued for a large Dutchman poultry feeder consigned to a farm at Courtown Estate, County Wexford; and if he can indicate why there should have been any question of duty in this case.
14.
asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to refund the £100 deposit demanded prior to the release of the non-dutiable Dutchman poultry feeder consigned to a poultry farm owner on the Courtown Estate, County Wexford.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 11 to 14 together as they all relate to the one matter.
It would not be in the public interest for me to disclose details of this case. I have, however, satisfied myself that the action of the customs authorities in detaining the poultry feeder was in no way attributable to negligence or inefficiency on their part and I am not prepared to consider compensating the importer in respect of any financial loss which he may have suffered as a result of the delay.
Am I to understand that the Minister refuses to disclose the reason why they kept this machine for four months without handing it over? I can only interpret that from his reply. With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I wish to raise the subject matter of this question on the Adjournment.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.
