asked the Minister for Finance the reasons an article was confiscated by the Customs and Excise from a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reasons the owner did not get proper notification regarding its confiscation and why he has received no written confirmation since on the reasons it was confiscated; the present location of the article; if it is properly stored; if there is adequate insurance cover on it; the exact places within the State where this article has been taken to since its confiscation; the dates; the reasons for the delay in making a decision on the article; the date the article will be released to its owner; if the owner will be adequately compensated for the loss he suffered due to confiscation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Confiscation of Article.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the article involved, which is a motor lorry, was seized by Customs and Excise on 4 November 1983 on the grounds that it was irregularly in the State. The person in question was informed of the reason for the seizure on the day the vehicle was seized.
Detailed investigations have since been carried out in connection with the seizure and the Revenue Commissioners will shortly write to the person in question about the disposal of the vehicle.
It is not the practice, for security reasons, to disclose the movements or places of storage of seized vehicles but every effort is made to ensure their safe storage.
Since the vehicle was irregularly in the State and is therefore liable to forfeiture the question of compensation does not arise.