asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the fact that goods such as car parts, etc. being sent from Paris to Dublin are held up for lengthy periods by the Irish customs; and if he will take steps to ensure that customs clearance of such goods is expedited.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Customs Clearance.
32.
I am not aware of any lengthy delays attributable to the Customs in the clearance of car parts, et cetera, being sent from Paris to Dublin. Normally customs examination of properly completed entries for imported goods is finished within 24 hours of their submission by the importers or their clearance agents. If the Deputy will let me have particulars of any cases involving delays attributable to the Customs I will undertake to have them investigated.
Has the Minister received any complaints from the firm handling the Renault cars in this country that spare parts coming in here have been held up for periods of from two weeks to three, four or five months?
No, I have not received any complaints on that basis related to properly submitted documents.
The Minister has, in fact received complaints?
No. I worded my answer carefully because I was not aware of any such complaints. There may be some but, if there are, they are not based on the proper submission of documents.
A legalistic answer.
Would the Minister say that it is untrue if the representative of the Renault firm says that its agent in this country has stated that one of the causes of the unsatisfactory working of their sales operation here is that spare parts coming in are being held up indefinitely?
I cannot say whether it is true or untrue. I am not aware whether the gentleman has said so. As I have indicated, I have no evidence of undue delay by the Customs in the circumstances as indicated. If the Deputy has any such evidence I will be prepared to investigate it.
Would the Minister take my word that this complaint has been made to me by the French representative of that firm?
I will have that investigated.
Thank you.