asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that customs examinations on passengers at Rosslare arriving from Le Havre are adequate; and if he will comment on a report from the Irish Customs and Excise Union that there are instances when no customs examination whatever is provided.
Written Answers. - Rosslare Customs Examinations.
633.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, whose area of responsibility it is, that they are satisfied that customs examinations of passengers at Rosslare arriving from Le Havre are generally adequate.
I understand that there were two instances, in February and March of this year, when the ferries from Le Havre and Fishguard arrived within a short time of one another outside of the scheduled time of arrival. In both cases all passengers arriving in their cars were dealt with by customs in the usual way. Foot passengers arriving from one of the vessels were dealt with directly by customs who were occupied with clearance of the vessel concerned. The foot passengers from the other vessel cleared customs by passing through the red-green channel system which was not manned at the time. I am satisfied that these were isolated instances where unusual circumstances prevailed.