asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of a news release issued by Belfast City Council on 1 February 1983 extending invitations to people in the Republic to avail themselves of shopping bargains in Belfast; if he is further aware that many of the items listed are outside the limits of EEC agreements available to people in the Republic and of the possible detrimental effect on business in the Republic; if he has contacted Belfast City Council on the matter; and if he will indicate his proposals in this regard.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Belfast Shopping Invitation .
36.
: I am aware of the news release issued by the council; I am also aware that many of the items listed exceed the travellers baggage allowances for duty-free importation. Importation of such items without payment of the appropriate duty would of course be illegal. I am conscious of the effect such illegal importations could have on traders in the State. I see no reason to communicate with the Belfast City Council on the matter. I refer the Deputy to my Budget Statement regarding proposals in this area. In it I said that the Government were giving urgent attention to combating smuggling with all the resources at their command. I also indicated that I would be glad to receive any proposals which traders directly affected may wish to put forward as to practical means of overcoming the problem of smuggling.
: Why does the Minister say he sees no reason to contact Belfast City Council? The city council may be unaware of the implications. Can the Minister give any reason why, as the protector of our finances, he feels he has no obligation to contact Belfast City Council?
: Belfast City Council are a separate body not susceptible to any direction by me. If the Belfast City Council in the context of a particular promotion taking place here at the time, choose to make an announcement of this kind that is a matter for them. I have pointed out that the importation of a number of the items listed in the news release in question without payment of duty is illegal.
: The Minister should take preventive medicine and not cure when the harm is done.