Vol. 394 No. 8
138 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to change the customs operation on the Border; the new technology, if any, which he intends to introduce; when it will be introduced; the effects, if any, such changes will have on employment; the plans, if any, he has to redeploy any customs staff who become affected by any such change; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a new system of technology viz. Automated Entry Processing (AEP) will be introduced at all import and export points including the land frontier on 1 January 1991. The access to the AEP system will be via a managed network. The impact of the revised procedures on the employment of Customs and Excise staff on the land frontier will not become clear until some time after 1 January 1991 as this will depend on the level of participation by the trading community. The Revenue Commissioners are at present engaged in discussions with the staff unions involved in regard to the overall staffing implications.
