asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of complaints from visitors to this country that they have been harassed while driving by customs officials in unmarked cars; and if he will ensure that customs officials will not act in such a way as to create unnecessary fear in the minds of visitors who are driving legally imported cars.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Customs Officials Checks.
10.
I am not aware of any complaints from visitors driving legally imported cars that they have been harassed by customs officials in unmarked cars. Some checks by customs officials are necessary to ensure that the facility to import or drive a car under the Temporary Importation Regulations is confined to visitors and customs officials are conscious of the need for courtesy in carrying out these checks. I can inform the Deputy, however, that it was recently decided to provide illuminated roof signs marked "Customs" for official cars used for surveillance purposes and this should allay any fears in the minds of visitors driving legally imported cars who are subjected to a check.
I am glad that my question has achieved its object and I trust that the signs will be affixed soon. Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that it is frightening to be pulled off a road—in two cases on the Stillorgan Road—by four plainclothes men using an unmarked car who did not carry any form of identification?
I agree.
I hope the roof sign will be sufficient to allay people's fears in this matter.
(Dublin Central): Has it been brought to the attention of the Parliamentary Secretary that certain executives who must stay here for up to five months and keep their cars with them have been harassed unduly by certain members of the staff of the Revenue Commissioners?
No, but if the Deputy is prepared to give me the names of the people I will investigate the matter.
(Dublin Central): My information is that such executives have been harassed.
What will the wording on the sign be?
"Customs".
Will the signs be manufactured in Ireland?