asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to reports of butter smuggling from Northern Ireland into the Republic; and, if so, the action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Butter Smuggling.
44.
My attention has been drawn to a number of such reports. The Deputy will recollect, however, that in reply to a similar question last December, as reported at Volume 276, columns 1796 and 1797 of the Official Report, I indicated that the customs were alive to the danger of butter smuggling and were taking all possible steps to curb the illegal traffic. These include seizures of quantities of butter and prosecution of offenders. Mobile customs patrols are operating continuously in the vicinity of the land frontier in an effort to contain the illegal activity.
Is the Minister aware that quantities of butter are publicly displayed in shops in many parts of the country and customers can purchase them if they so require at a much lower price than Irish butter?
I am aware that there are certain sales which appear to be associated with the kind of activity which the Deputy very correctly deplores. I can assure him that there have been seizures of quantities ranging from two cwts. to over one ton of butter in the past six months. These seizures have occurred not only in the Border areas but also in shops and on vehicles throughout the State. The Revenue Commissioners will pursue their activities in this regard and people who engage in the activity of the smuggling of butter across the Border may be assured that the Revenue Commissioners and the customs authorities are pursuing them and that they will duly prosecute and penalise offenders.