asked the Minister for Finance whether arms imported into the State are subject to customs duties; if so, the rate thereof; whether any such imports are exempt from payment of duty; if so, the nature of such exempted imports; by whom exemption may be granted; and the amount of customs duties on arms paid in each of the last five years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arms Imports.
38.
Sporting guns, including sporting rifles, are liable to customs duty on importation at the following rates of duty—
|
Full rate |
48 per cent ad valorem |
|
Preferential rates— |
|
|
Canadian origin |
32 per cent ad valorem |
|
United Kingdom origin |
19.2 per cent ad valorem |
|
Northern Ireland origin |
16.0 per cent ad valorem |
No other arms are liable to customs duty.
Sporting guns and sporting rifles may be imported free of duty under licence issued at the discretion of the Minister for Industry and Commerce. They may also be imported free of duty, as part of a person's used personal belongings and household effects, under the transfer of residence provisions.
The net amount of customs duty paid on sporting guns and sporting rifles during the last five years was as follows:
|
Year |
£ |
|
1965-66 |
5,213 |
|
1966-67 |
3,837 |
|
1967-68 |
3,205 |
|
1968-69 |
3,435 |
|
1969-70 |
2,225 |
All arms are liable to turnover and wholesale taxes at the combined rate of 15 per cent ad valorem. These taxes are not, however, charged at importation where arms are imported by persons registered for the purposes of the taxes.
39.
asked the Minister for Finance whether crates labelled for the Red Cross did arrive at Dublin Airport; whether such crates did in fact contain arms; and whether such crates got through customs without examinations after Ministerial intervention; the source and contents of the crates; the name of the Minister alleged to have intervened; the name and address of consignee; the ultimate disposal of the crates; and the date of there arrival at the airport.
I know of no foundation for the allegation contained in this question that arms have been illegally imported in consignments labelled for the Red Cross. Neither am I aware that there is any foundation for the allegation of Ministerial intervention to secure the clearance of any Red Cross consignments without the application of normal customs procedure.