asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state the total amount realised by imposition of parcels tax or customs entry duty within the past financial year, and the amount collected by his Department from addresses and also the separate amounts collected on behalf of the Department or in respect of this tax by Córas Iompair Éireann, Great Northern Railway, Aer Lingus, Teo., British Railways and Coast Lines, Limited; and, further, if in view of the fact that this tax is an irritant to recipients of parcels or packages from outside this State and that the cessation of the rôle of tax gatherers by transport companies on behalf of his Department is desirable, he will take steps to have it abolished.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Parcels Tax Receipts.
The only forms of charge by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs on incoming parcels are the 6d. customs clearance fee on dutiable parcels and the 6d. delivery fee on certain non-dutiable parcels, the total revenue from which is about £14,500 per annum. In view of the expense entailed to the Department in providing customs depot and staff facilities the abolition of these charges would not be warranted.
I have no information as to any amounts collected by way of customs entry duty. The various transport companies mentioned by the Deputy do not collect charges on behalf of my Department.