asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of import licences which were issued during 1987 in respect of cereals and cereal substitutes; the total tonnage covered by such licences; the amount of money paid by the importers as deposits to obtain the licences; whether such importers reclaimed the deposits paid; and, if so, whether he has made the necessary refunds.
Written Answers. - Import Licences.
38.
During 1987 146 import licences were issued by my Department under EC rules for a total quantity of 477,968 tonnes of cereals and cereal substitutes. Amounts totalling IR£289,426 were lodged by traders as deposits to obtain these licences. To date 129 deposits have been reclaimed by the traders concerned, of which 118 with a total value of IR£270,634 have been refunded and five with a total value of IR£15,163 have been declared forfeit because of non-fulfilment of all the regulatory conditions attaching to the licences. The remaining six refund claims with a total value of IR£2,222 continue to be held pending receipt of satisfactory proof that the regulatory requirements have been met.