asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the fact that the Order relating to the setting up of shops within three miles of the border no longer serves any useful purpose, he will take immediate steps to revoke it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Establishment of Shops near Border.
Mr. Blaney
I have considered the question of the revocation of the Order referred to by the Deputy but I am not prepared, at present, to recommend the Government to revoke it.
Mr. Blaney
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of some recently issued permits and of the nature and location of the premises to which these have been applied? Is he aware, in connection with cases where a justifiable claim could be made for such permits, that I know of several cases where claims have been refused? In view of that, I take it as being extraordinary that a permit should have been granted in one particular instance. One permit has been issued in respect of premises which are situated between the Border posts of our State and the Six Counties. In other words, there is no supervision by this State's customs at all. That permit has been issued within the last 18 months.
That is a matter for the customs and excise.
Mr. Blaney
Am I to take it that it is a matter for your Department? The permit was issued by your Department, and I understand that the customs are not at all satisfied with it.
The Deputy stated something about a lack of supervision by customs officials.
May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if a licence was given to a person going to establish a shop outside our own customs post? If licences are given in circumstances of that kind, what is the sense in keeping the Order in existence at all?
I have no information about individual cases.
The Parliamentary Secretary issued the licence.
The question did not ask anything about a licence.