Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Customs Bill 2014 seeks to consolidate and modernise national legislation relating to the administration of customs into a single Bill. As we saw in the legislation itself and from the Minister of State’s comprehensive statement, bar two particular sections, the Bill seeks to rationalise and improve existing legislation. It also seeks to consider the European dimension to customs, particularly the EU customs code and its implementing provisions which set out the rules and regulations relating to the import and export of goods and impose legal requirements and obligations on importers and exporters.

It is important to acknowledge that Ireland is a small island nation with an extensive coastline which is difficult to police. We also maintain a common external border with the UK. We are separate from a number of European countries in this regard in that we are not members of the Schengen Agreement. Accordingly, we have greater difficulties in monitoring and maintaining customs services than a number of other European jurisdictions do. The cross-Border illegal activities of the past several years, the active part taken by Revenue in combating some of the more nefarious activities of petrol-stretching, cigarette trading and so forth, as well as the extensive fines imposed for customs offences, all show the challenges our customs service faces every day. It is to its credit that we do not hear more about them. One is more likely to hear about a service that is causing a problem than one is to hear about a service that is not. Given the extensive difficulties the customs service has, including difficulties with illegal activities, north and south of the Border, it is noteworthy that it rates so highly when compared internationally. The Minister of State mentioned that it is has achieved high honours in a number of international reviews of custom services. According to the 2013 annual report of the Revenue Commissioners, Ireland is ranked fourth in Europe for efficiencies of customs administration and fifth in the world. It is clear that when one wants to have a good and well-functioning business environment, the efficiency and civility of a customs service, as well as one that is as first rate as ours, contributes to the overall business environment in a way that we sometimes do not recognise. It should be placed on the record that the functioning of our customs service contributes significantly, not just in financial terms, but to the overall efficiency of business in this country.

At European level, the extent of the role of the customs systems in contributing to the running of the European Union is sometimes forgotten. The quantum of value that import charges contribute to the overall EU budget is calculated to be €13.6 billion.That is no small or insignificant amount of money, and it is very important that we recognise that for Europe to be successful the European budget itself needs to have other forms of income rather than direct levies on the member states.

I was also struck to discover that we have approximately 2,000 staff in this country engaged through the Revenue Commissioners with customs activities and that they are dedicated to targeting and confronting non-compliance. There has been evidence in recent months that they do that effectively, given the significant fines levied. They are very active in the prevention of smuggling and evasion, investigations and prosecution and audit assurance checks, among other areas. It was news to me that we have two cutter boats in service. They are managed and operated by the Revenue maritime unit. It is important that the customs service is well funded. I echo the views of my colleagues on that point.

I also echo Senator Sheahan’s view that the powers that are conferred on customs officials are extensive. Reference was made to the burden of proof, particularly under Part 3 as an example of where those powers are being extended. It does behove us when we extend powers on any organ of the State to do so with care. It is a testament to the Customs and Excise service that we have heard so little in terms of extending additional powers to them. They are held in high esteem and I do not think their competence or honesty has ever been called into question.

We support the Bill. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Simon Harris, for coming to the House today to propose it.