James Leonard
Question:53 Mr. Leonard asked the Taoiseach the way in which international freight transport statistics into and out of Ireland will be collected after the elimination of custom checks following the completion of the Single Market.
Written Answers. - Freight Transport Statistics.
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to statistics of Ireland's external trade which are compiled from customs documentation.
The way in which statistics of trade between EC member states — including certain related transport data will be collected, following the completion of the Single Market, is laid down in a draft EC Regulation.
This Regulation, which is likely to be adopted soon, proposes that: (1) every trader liable to account for VAT will show on his VAT return the values of his total imports from and total exports to other member states. This will provide figures for the total value of Ireland's imports from and exports to other member states; (2) Additional detail — including commodity code, partner country and some transport detail — will be collected by a monthly statistical inquiry to those larger traders who are responsible for about 95 per cent of such imports and exports.
Statistics of trade with countries other than EC member states will continue to be collected from the customs documentation which will, of course, continue to be available for such trade.