asked the Minister for Finance if he can name the date of prohibition of importation into Saorstát Eireann of articles of apparel such as gloves or handkerchiefs through the post other than by parcel post, and if he can state the penalties normally enforced against persons who violate such regulations, and what statutory powers the Revenue Commissioners rely on for their enforcement.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - PROHIBITION OF POSTAL IMPORTS.
Under the regulations of the Department for Posts and Telegraphs goods liable to duty may not be imported into Saorstát Eireann by letter post. Personal clothing and wearing apparel, including gloves and handkerchiefs, became liable to duty on the 24th April last, and the prohibition of importation of such goods by letter post took effect from that date.
Under Section 18 of the Post Office Act of 1908, the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs is empowered to detain any postal packet suspected to contain any contraband goods and forward same to the Revenue Commissioners who, if contraband goods are found therein, may detain the packet and its contents for the purpose of prosecution.
The statutory powers of the Revenue Commissioners in respect of goods irregularly imported are set out in the various Customs Acts and more particularly in Sections 177, 178 and 186 of the Customs Consolidation Act, 1876, which provide that such goods are liable to forfeiture and that persons concerned in the irregularity are liable to a penalty of £100, or treble the duty-paid value of the goods, at the election of the Commissioners.
In the case of goods imported by prohibited post the Commissioners do not normally institute proceedings or enforce the penalty of forfeiture unless there are aggravating circumstances in the case or the offence is repeated after the parties concerned have been warned. Cases which present no objectionable features are usually dealt with by allowing release of the goods on payment of the duty involved with or without a small fine.
Arising out of that reply, I would like to know if the Minister is aware that numbers of persons resident in this country receive occasionally, as gifts, trifling presents, such as handkerchiefs or gloves, from persons resident in Great Britain, and can he state whether a resident in this country will be fined owing to the unwitting offence of a person resident in Great Britain?
The considerations that I stated at the end of my reply would apply in such cases.