Gerry O'Sullivan
Question:10 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he has any plans to close the Customs Office in Castletownbere, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Castletownbere (Cork) Customs Office.
With the advent of the EC Single Market on 1 January 1993 it will be necessary to discontinue most of the existing Customs checks and controls on intra-Community traffic.
Recently, the Revenue Commissioners carried out a study to assess the impact of this event on staffing in the Customs and Excise service and to consider revised organisational structures appropriate to the post-1992 environment.
The resulting report — made available to all members of the Customs and Excise staff and union representatives — showed a substantial reduction in staff numbers required to perform the traditional customs and excise work remaining post-1992 and proposed certain changes in organisational structures involving the closure of a number of customs stations, including Castletownbere.
It is the aim of the Commissioners to try to provide a career for all Customs and Excise staff whose current work is affected by the Single Market in, or close to, their present locations so as to minimise domestic disruption to the staff and their families. In order to achieve this objective the Commissioners are engaged in ongoing negotiations with the staff unions concerned.