asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the reasons for the continuation of the restriction on the payment of sterling for goods delivered from foreign countries to Eire; also, whether the present system results in delays and loss of goods urgently required by the community.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Sterling for Foreign Payments.
There is no restriction on the payment of sterling for goods supplied from Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Rhodesia, India, Ceylon, Egypt, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda, Nigeria, Palestine and Iraq. Payments in sterling from here and from the countries mentioned to other countries have been controlled by the various Governments since September, 1939, owing to the abnormal conditions created by the war. The restrictions are continued because normal conditions are not yet sufficiently restored to enable them to be removed.
With regard to the second part of the Deputy's question, no avoidable delay occurs, so far as my Department is concerned, and the delays inherent in any such system of control can be minimised if importers give timely notice and adequate information to my Department. So far as I am aware, the control does not result in loss of goods which I am satisfied are urgently required by the community.
How is currency involved if payment is made here in Dublin in sterling?
If payment is allowed in sterling there is no trouble.
That is what I want to get at—that is my question. I take it that if payment is made here in Dublin in sterling there is no question of foreign currency involved.
The Deputy has not to apply to the Department of Finance for permission to pay anything in sterling to the countries I have named.
In Dublin?
In Dublin or anywhere else.
I am glad to hear that.