asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that a post office clearance fee of 1s 8d was charged on a small consignment of Christmas cards purchased by an Irish national from an internationally recognised charitable organisation; what calculation was made in arriving at this amount; and if it is necessary to charge this fee on such consignments.
Ceisteanna—Questions, Oral Answers. - Christmas Card Consignment.
106.
A customs clearance fee is charged on every incoming parcel on which a customs charge has been levied. Where the customs charge does not exceed 10/- the clearance fee is 1s 8d. The charging of customs clearance fees is prescribed by statutory instruments made under the Post Office Acts.
Does the Minister consider that it is right and proper that 1s 8d should be collected on Christmas cards purchased by a person from Oxfam in view of the fact that his Department paid £150 so that the Minister could send a Christmas card to every constituent in Laois-Offaly? Does the Minister consider that it is right that an international organisation known as Oxfam, carrying out charitable and good deeds throughout the world, should be penalised by his Department by an imposition of 1s 8d?
We have a number of charitable organisations who get their cards printed in this country.
Including Oxfam.
It would be a good idea if the Deputy would encourage his constituents to purchase their Christmas cards through Irish manufacturers. I certainly would not feel it would be proper to remove the customs charge in this particular regard at all.
1s 8d?
I am surprised at the Deputy.
It is disgraceful. This is the Christmas spirit in which the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs will defend a charge of 1s 8d on two dozen Christmas cards from an international charitable organisation.
The question of a charge on two dozen Christmas cards would not arise if the individual had purchased them in Ireland.
I feel sorry for the Minister who has to stand up here to defend it.
He is proud of it.
Let it be recorded that the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs is proud of that fact.
What is the Irish for "Oxfam"?