asked the Minister for Finance the number of cases which were settled out of court between the Revenue Commissioners and people found to be in possession of spirits smuggled from Northern Ireland during 1983.
208.
Written Answers. - Smuggling of Alcohol.
207.
asked the Minister for Finance the number of retailers convicted during 1983 of receiving and selling spirits which were smuggled from Northern Ireland; and if he will give details of the charges instituted and the fines imposed.
209.
asked the Minister for Finance the action he took during 1983 to stop the amount of spirits being smuggled from Northern Ireland; and if he will accept that more than £40 million worth of spirits have been smuggled during the year.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 207, 208 and 209 together.
The number of cases settled outside of court between the Revenue Commissioners and people found to be in possession of spirits smuggled from Northern Ireland during 1983 was 71.
The number of retailers convicted during 1983 of dealing in uncustomed spirits from Northern Ireland was three. The charges were instituted under section 186 of the Customs Consolidation Act, 1876, and an additional charge was instituted in one case for breach of the Land Frontier Regulations, 1968. The fines imposed totalled £400. The seized goods and conveyances used in each case were forfeited. It has been decided to take proceedings against a further 33 retailers for Customs offences detected in 1983.
The measures adopted to counter smuggling are kept under constant review to ensure their maximum effectiveness. During 1983, Customs resources in the land frontier area were re-deployed and extra mobile units were provided. Special patrols were mounted in areas away from the Border to supplement the normal surveillance patrols. About 200 seizures of uncustomed spirits imported from Northern Ireland were made in 1983 and in five of those cases the offender was arrested by Customs and charged with the offence. Legal proceedings have been initiated or are being considered in many other cases. It is not possible to estimate the value of spirits smuggled during the year.