asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has made any progress in trying to secure a withdrawal or modification of customs clearance charges in the case of consignments of agricultural or dairy produce exported to Great Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Customs Clearance Charges.
The question of securing a modification in the scale of customs clearance charges applicable to goods exported from this country which, for the purpose of securing free entry into the United Kingdom require to be accompanied by a certificate of origin, has been taken up with the carrying companies concerned, and is still under consideration by them. The matter continues to engage the attention of my Department and of the Department of Industry and Commerce, and I will inform the Deputy when a definite reply has been received from the carrying companies.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, I should like to point out that I asked the Minister a similar question eight or nine months ago and I got a somewhat similar reply, that he was taking up the matter with the carrying companies. Does the Minister realise that this is having a very bad effect on the poultry industry, and that it is important it should be settled one way or the other immediately?
I quite realise that, but of course it is not altogether in our hands to settle it—the Deputy must realise that.