Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 7

Written Answers. - Customs and Excise Staff.

Tony Gregory

Question:

109 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Finance if there will be a reduction in the numbers of staff employed in customs and excise following the completion of the Internal Market; and the consequences for the staff affected if reductions take place.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds)

The completion of the Internal Market, in accordance with the provisions of the Single European Act, and in particular the abolition of internal frontier controls, will mean considerable staffing, operational and other changes for the Customs and Excise Service.

The Revenue Commissioners have recently completed a review with the purpose of identifying, on the basis of current information, the impact which these changes will have on staff employed in customs and excise. At this stage it is apparent that there will be a reduction in the staffing levels currently needed for the existing functions of the Customs and Excise Service. It is the intention that the implications of this review will be put before the staff concerned and their union representatives in the near future.