asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that itinerant hawkers are selling goods throughout the country at low costs; if he is satisfied that the appropriate duty has been paid on those goods; and, if not, the action he intends to take to prevent such traders from operating.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Itinerant Hawkers.
48.
I am aware that sales of the kind mentioned by the Deputy have been taking place and that there have been cases where the appropriate customs duty has not been paid on the goods offered for sale. Action to eliminate this traffic in uncustomed goods has been, and continues to be, taken by the Customs in co-operation with the Garda. Many seizures of goods suspected of having been irregularly imported have been made, prosecutions have been ordered and suspected persons have been arrested and charged in 45 cases and prosecutions are under consideration in 37 other cases.
Is the Minister satisfied with the action that he has taken? I travel the main road coming here and there are at least five different towns in which I can see the itinerants selling. They have also been selling in every town in my constituency, not only once or twice over a six-months period——
I am anxious to help the Deputy but I would prefer him to ask a question.
Would the Minister see that action is taken because the chamber of commerce members and local traders are not buying in this year because of the low cost of competition of the itinerants.
I can assure the Deputy that every possible action is being taken by the Garda and by the Customs and Excise authorities to stamp out this practice. Tens of thousands of items have been seized. That in itself is, I think, becoming a deterrent to the people involved in this traffic. A number of motor vehicles have also been seized, apart from the prosecutions which have taken place. We are very much aware of the unfair competition which this irregular traffic is causing and we shall do everything we can to bring it to an end.
Would the Minister not agree that this should not only be done but should be seen to be done?
I think the fact that these seizures have been made, that the prosecutions are now touching the 100 mark and that unfortunately many gardaí and customs officials have been seriously injured in their efforts to curb this traffic is a fair indication that there has been no let-up on the part of the authorities in stamping out this practice. As the Deputy remarks, it is very widespread and I imagine it will take some time to damp it down, but we are moving in the right direction.
But it will be done?
I hope so.
The Minister referred to items seized. What has or will become of these items?
The items seized are at present in the possession of the Customs and Excise authorities and there are very specific statutory obligations on them as to the manner in which these goods are disposed of.
Is it true that some of these items were seized and were returned even though they were seized under great difficulty?
No items would be returned unless it was established that no revenue offence had taken place.
(Dublin Central): Is any value-added tax being collected from the itinerants and if not——
That is a separate question.
Sin Cheist eile.