asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the number of Customs and Excise officials, who have been on loan to the Saorstát, by the British Government, and when it is intended that their services shall be dispensed with.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - OFFICIALS ON LOAN TO SAORSTÁT.
The number of officials of the British Board of Customs and Excise serving in An Saorstát is fifty-six. It is proposed that releases for return to Great Britain of those officials will commence as from next month, and will be carried out thereafter by agreement with the British Board of Customs and Excise, subject to the maintenance of the Customs and Excise staff in An Saorstát on an effective basis.
Might I ask the Minister if any individual made special representation to the Saorstát Government would he be permitted to leave?
It would depend on whether we could make arrangements to carry out his duties, but the Deputy will understand that the staff we have of our own is a raw and new staff, and we could not lose these experienced officers, too rapidly at any rate.
I take it from that that the Minister would be reasonable in the matter?
Yes.