Vol. 222 No. 4
asked the Minister for Finance if he is now prepared to abolish completely the present charge of 2/- demanded by the Irish customs authorities at all frontier posts during certain hours; and, if not, if he will state the legal right which the customs and excise authorities have to collect this amount.
27.
asked the Minister for Finance if he is now prepared to abolish the present stamping system in relation to cross-Border traffic in view of the general dislike of this system; and if he will substitute the system applied by the British authorites.
I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together.
Upon full review of the existing system of customs control on the land frontier, I have come to the conclusion that it is not yet opportune to dispense with the stamping of papers for vehicles crossing the Border nor with the charge of 2/- in respect of attendance given outside approved hours at Customs Posts. Within the general framework, however, I think there may be scope for certain modifications calculated to ease the position of persons resident close to the Border and making frequent crossings for business or other essential purposes. To be effective, any such modifications would require the agreement of the British authorities and I am arranging to have the points in question taken up by the Revenue Commissioners with the Commissioners of Customs and Excise in London.
The charge of 2/- for customs attendance outside approved hours is made under the Customs (Land Frontier) Regulations, 1924.
While I thank the Minister for the interest he has taken in this matter in contacting the British authorities, I should like him to explain what function the British authorities have in regard to the collection of this 2/- or in having a book stamped for everyone passing through the Border?
I said that I thought that within the general framework of the regulations governing the crossing of the Border there was scope for some modification. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to expect I should consult with the British Customs and Excise authorities when I am thinking of modification of the general regulations.
All the Minister is being asked to do is the simple thing of abolishing completely this abominable charge of 2/-. If some of the people to whom the Minister for External Affairs referred to a few minutes ago came in a bus load and refused to pay this 2/-what would happen?
That hardly arises.
With respect, a Cheann Comhairle, I have asked the Minister what authority the Customs people have to collect this 2/- fee.
I will encourage the customs officers to do everything in their power to collect it. If they fail, I will see what other remedy is open to me.
You would stop a bus load from the Six Counties for refusing to pay the 2/-, or you would refuse people from Donegal passing through the Six Counties?
I try to enforce the laws of this country to the fullest extent of my power.
Question No. 28.
Is the Minister aware there is only one other place where such a fee is requested and that is by the Communist regime in Berlin, who request a fee of one mark or 1/11d? The Republic of Ireland and the Communist authorities in East Berlin—that is who you are being compared with in the Six Counties.
I do not care what I am being compared with.
Only one man in the Revenue Commissioners is in favour of it; everyone else is against it.
I cannot get in a word—Question No. 28. If Deputy Harte will not cease interrupting, because that is what he is doing, I must ask him to leave the Chamber.
If I leave, I will not be charged 2/-, but if I cross the Border after midnight, I will.
