asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to an EEC Commission proposal which has been put forward as a money saving plan to simplify cross-border formalities for goods traffic between member states; and if he will indicate the changes this would have on goods traffic arrangements between both parts of Ireland.
Written Answers. - Goods Traffic Arrangements.
284.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to an EEC Commission proposal for a Council Directive on the facilitation of formalities and inspections in respect of the carriage of goods between member states.
The proposals which were presented recently by the Commission seek to improve the organisation of the various inspections and formalities which affect the carriage of goods between member states. They are expressed as a global approach to facilitating the free movement of passengers and goods across all the internal frontiers in the Community.
As there are implications for other Departments concerned with border crossings (e.g. Customs, Health, Environment, Agriculture) detailed consideration will be required before I am in a position to say definitely what effect these proposals could have on goods traffic arrangements between both parts of Ireland or in our dealings with other member states.
I can say that both the Irish and United Kingdom customs administrations already adopt a joint approach to facilitation of goods traffic across the land frontier, and it appears at first sight that existing customs procedures correspond closely to what the draft directive contemplates.