asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the fact that sheepskin export licences issued by his Department are being bought and sold commercially; and, if so, what measures he has taken to prevent this practice.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sheepskin Export Licences.
70.
I am not aware that licences granted by my Department for the export of sheepskins are being bought and sold.
Recently, however, certain irregularities in the use of such licences have been alleged. One case of a possible irregularity has come to the notice of the Revenue Commissioners and is being investigated by them.
Should the results disclose trafficking in licences as suggested, all necessary action will be taken to put an end to the practice.
Is the Minister aware that these licences are non-transferable and a licence in the name of one person cannot legally be used by another person? But this is actually occurring. The Minister must be aware that it is actually occurring. Licences are being transferred. This must be known to his Department because the licences have to be returned to his Department. His Department also have details of the transactions with regard to these licences. Surely he must have this information.
I am not aware, as I have said, that there is any such trafficking in licences. What might happen is that the licence is issued to company A and by some method company B gets the use of it but does so in the name of company A and the invoices are issued to company A. There is not any method through the records of the Department of determining that this has happened. As I have indicated, if it transpires as a result of the investigation which is going on at the moment into alleged irregularities in the use of these licences that trafficking in licences is taking place as alleged, steps will be taken to deal with it.
Has the Minister received any notification of the fact that this was happening? Has he received any letters to the effect that this was taking place?
I did recently.
Why does the Minister control the export of sheepskins at all?
That is another question.