First, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to raise this very important issue so quickly on the Adjournment. The report which was issued yesterday to staff members of the Customs and Excise service is a fairly lengthy document. I would like to refer to one or two sections of it which are the source of grave concern for me, quite a number of other Deputies and others with an interest in this matter. The report refers to the implications of the completion of the Internal Market in 1992 on staffing levels throughout the country, particularly in the ports and Border regions in which I have a particular interest. It indicates that it is definite that problems will arise and it identifies a number of black spots: all the land frontier zone, including Dundalk, the major airports and ferry ports, Dublin, Rosslare and Cork.
Let me refer to the report in relation to my own area, the land frontier Customs and Excise staffing area, including Dundalk, where at present 285 people are employed. The indications are that there will be a surplus of 164 or 57 per cent — a significant percentage — in this area. In the Dundalk area alone where 140 people are employed at present it is anticipated that there will be a surplus of 73 staff. Needless to say the effect this would have in the Dundalk area would be horrendous. While I am aware the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners have shown good will and will try to relocate staff in the areas in which they are located, I want to impress upon the Minister of State the need to ensure that these staff are retained in the Dundalk area. With an unemployment level of 30 per cent we can ill-afford to lose 70 or 80 jobs.
I should also make the point that many of those employed in the Customs and Excise service are middle aged, have families, mortgages, have made commitments and set down their roots and they do not want to be relocated away from their homes in the wider public service. They have made their homes in the Dundalk area and want to remain there. I ask the Minister of State to concentrate on this matter in his negotiations.
The decentralisation programme would fit in very snugly into the scenario in 1992. Dundalk is one of the areas identified. While the programme in relation to Dundalk has been dogged with bad luck during the past few years, I am glad there have been some moves. I ask the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to ensure that negotiations take place expeditiously with the local authority and private developers in the area so that a site in Dundalk is obtained as quickly as possible and work can begin on decentralisation.
I am also glad the Minister for Finance has decided to decentralise sections of the Office of Public Works and the Revenue Commissioners to Dundalk. I hope this will provide an opportunity to take up some of the surplus staff. I urge the Minister of State and the Minister for Finance to ensure that in the negotiations that will take place with the Revenue Commissioners and the Customs and Excise service staff that those staff who will be surplus to requirements from 1 January 1993 will be relocated in the Dundalk area. Finally, I urge the Minister of State to look very closely and carefully — this is on the agenda of the Customs and Excise service staff — at possible new avenues at work in the Customs and Excise area.