asked the Minister for Finance whether his Department confiscated currency notes sent by Patrick Heneghan, Arlington, United States of America, to his wife and other persons resident in Doon, Westport, County Mayo; if he is aware that this money was intended for the maintenance of the wife and family of the sender; and if he will state the reasons for this confiscation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Confiscation of Currency Notes.
I refer the Deputy to my reply of the 30th April, 1947, to a Parliamentary question concerning the illegal importation of currency notes through the post.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, this question relates to a specific case and I would like if the Minister would deal with the particular question as it stands on the Order Paper.
If the Deputy reads the answer to the other question, he will find that his present question is covered by it.
I am fully aware of the nature of the reply to which the Minister refers. I do not think that reply covers this question and I do not think it would apply in this case.
It does.
I hold it does not. The Minister has seized money that this man sent home for the upkeep of his wife and children. That is an altogether different matter from the matter covered in the reply to which the Minister has referred me.
You cannot treat these cases differently from the others.
If I make representations to the Minister and tell him that this man is sending home the money for the maintenance of his wife and children here, will the Minister release the money?
If he sends home dollars, the dollars will be confiscated in the usual way.
Has the Minister taken precautions to ensure that our exiles are aware of the regulations?
They are perfectly well aware.
If they are aware, it is rather extraordinary that so many of them should continue sending money home. When the money is confiscated a form is sent to these people asking for certain information and the inference is that the money will be returned if the information is given. When the information is given, does the Minister release the money to these people?
The form has no such implication.
The form seeks information from the person, or persons, who sent the money or to whom the money is sent. It apparently asks certain questions for the Minister's information. These people are under the impression that if they give that information, it is then probable that the Minister will release the money confiscated.
They have no grounds for such belief.
Would the Minister inform us, if and when such money is confiscated, is it because the Minister or his Department believe that the money was deliberately sent in order to evade the regulations made by the Minister?
Every case is dealt with in the same way. A year ago everybody was given notice that they would be dealt with in that particular way.