asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the future position of Customs and Excise staff after existing Border controls have been abolished as a result of the Single European Act; the plans, if any, he has for redundancy, redeployment or any other action which might be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Customs and Excise Staffing.
162.
The Revenue Commissioners are not in a position at this stage to outline the future position of Customs and Excise staff after the existing Border controls have been abolished as a result of the Single European Act.
The Commissioners have prepared a memorandum outlining the changes in the role of the Customs and Excise service which the completion of the internal market envisaged by the EC will bring. This memorandum has been circulated to the unions representing the staff concerned and to those Departments and bodies on whose behalf the Customs and excise service performs agency functions at internal EC frontiers. The purpose of the memorandum is to focus attention on the changes envisaged and to facilitate the assessment of their effect on all concerned.
The commissioners will be keeping the situation under constant review but in advance of the emergence of definite proposals in relation to the completion of the Internal Market it will not be possible to accurately assess the implications for Customs and Excise staff.