asked the Minister for Finance the yield of customs duties on imports from (a) EEC and applicant countries and (b) other countries for the most recent period of 12 months for which figures are available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Custom Duty Yields.
17.
Statistics of customs duties are not compiled on a basis which would enable me to answer the Deputy's question.
Does the Minister mean he is not in a position to say what the loss will be on customs duties from EEC countries if we decide to do away with those duties? Is he saying that there is no way of knowing what the comparison will be between gains and losses on EEC entry?
I do not think that would be correct. I have tried to convey to the Deputy that the revenue statistics are compiled on the basis of customs classifications rather than countries. Trade statistics are compiled on the basis of countries. If the Deputy has in mind the kind of calculation he mentioned, this can be done on the basis of the trade statistics. His question related to the yield of customs duties.
The Minister knows what I want, and I have stated as specifically as I could what information I wanted. Would the Minister let me have the answer in his own way?
On the basis I have mentioned, probably an approximate figure could be produced and if that is what the Deputy wants I will do that.
I should be very glad if the Minister would.
Why is the Minister so reluctant to give the House an approximate figure? No one will try to tie him up or to score a point. He never gives the House an approximate figure.
Is the Deputy implying that Deputy FitzGerald never tries to score a point?
Why drag me in? I am not saying anything.
Can the Minister suggest that anyone on these benches has ever tried to score a point off him on the basis of an approximate figure?
I will explain it to the Deputy some time.
The Minister sees no point——
Question No. 18.