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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 May 1976

Vol. 290 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Frontier Post Facilities.

12.

asked the Minister for Finance why the established practice by the Irish customs and excise at frontier posts of facilitating through travellers in bringing personal goods to and from Donegal and Dublin has ceased.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that other than a relaxation in documentary requirements there has been no change in practice by the Customs at the land frontier in relation to personal goods carried by persons travelling onwards to or from Donegal.

Is the Minister aware of a practice I have known to exist for the last 25 years and which was widely availed of by people like myself coming and going from Donegal to Dublin and vice versa? Under this, in relation to goods carried in one's car, rather than taking them around Sligo, one was facilitated when bringing them through by listing them for the Customs. They examined the list, saw you had them, stamped the list and put a note on the bottom saying : “To the point of exit from the Six Counties again, please facilitate”. I understand from Customs officers on the frontier posts that that facility ceased recently, that no notice was given of the intention to cease it and that it is causing great hardship to many members of the public.

May I ask for briefer questions, please?

I can assure the Deputy I am not so aware. The practice is that in the case of goods of a kind and value or quantity which in the ordinary course could be imported by owners duty free in accordance with existing duty free concessions the movement of such goods is allowed without formality, but other private effects which fall outside that category but which have not a high duty content and are not of a commercial character are entitled to the note or certificate to which the Deputy refers.

It is quite informal, but, for instance if a person had a significant quantity of spirits which would be more than the normal amount carried by persons in a car, in such cases the persons in whose custody the liquor was would be required to complete more formalities than would otherwise be the case. There has been no change, in fact, except one of relaxation, which has arisen because of the larger quantities which can now be imported under EEC regulations but I shall certainly investigate what the Deputy alleges because it is certainly contrary to the information I have received.

Would the Minister specifically investigate this matter particularly at present when those who have to use these through routes are being checked and searched and intimidated in various ways for various reasons? This added imposition comes ill at a time such as this. The Minister may believe me when I say that the practice has been changed and the officers in question have stated so and said that they were going according to regulations.

I shall certainly investigate it but I have no reason to believe that the practice has changed in any way. I am aware that some persons carrying abnormal quantities of spirits have been asked to complete the normal export formalities.

Question No. 13. Deputy Davern.

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