asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that a company (name supplied) engaged in the export of sheepskins were hindered in their work by an officer of his Department investigating export quotas; that during the course of this investigation an official of his Department travelled abroad for the purpose of interviewing and questioning customers of this company; and that such action resulted in serious damage to this company's prestige and trade; if he will state the results of this investigation; and if he is satisfied that such an investigation was warranted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export Quota Investigation.
22.
The export of sheepskins is prohibited except under licence issued by the Minister for Industry and Commerce and the Customs are responsible for the enforcement of this prohibition.
In the course of investigations into the export of sheepskins an officer of Customs and Excise had occasion to examine the records of exports by the company referred to by the Deputy. In accordance with normal procedure in such cases the officer also visited the company's customers in Northern Ireland for the purpose of verifying the transactions involved. I do not accept that the officer's actions either hindered the legitimate trade of the company concerned or seriously damaged its prestige. Moreover I am satisfied that the investigation, which is continuing, is warranted.
Is the Taoiseach aware that the officer in question, who went right along to the business premises to demand the books, never mentioned the fact that he could take copies in the office, as was suggested to him, and that these people had to go to the office of this customs officer at 9.30 in the morning to ask for the return of the books? The officer did not come in until 10 o'clock and ordered them out of this office despite the fact that his colleagues had met them in the office? Is he aware that this company is operating for 40 years and has customers for that length of time? Is he further aware that they have had no orders since due to this action by the customs official? Is he further aware that, when there is an allegation that the quotas are exceeded, in actual fact an officer of the Department goes along to ensure that the requisite number of skins are exported, that he counts them, tallies them and seals a whole lot of them. In fact, this investigation is not an investigation of the company but of officers of the Department. Is the Taoiseach aware of these facts?
Which facts? I do not know the details of the manner in which the investigation was carried out, nor have I any knowledge of how long the company to which the Deputy refers is in business. I do know that the purpose of the licensing control over the export of sheepskins is to maintain employment for Irish people in Irish factories. If sheepskins are exported beyond the number provided by licence, then there would be disemployment in Irish factories. That is the whole purpose of this control. As I said in the last sentence of my direct reply, the investigation to which the Deputy refers was found to be warranted and is to continue.
Is the Taoiseach aware that there are fewer tanners in the country and secondly, that there are fewer people employed? Thirdly, there are no export markets for hides— which are also important for tanners in Ireland. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy in the course of the afternoon.