Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 50: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has plans to assist freight and forwarding agents who use the customs AEP 2 service to adapt to a computerised new system after July 2009 in terms of retraining and equipment grants; and his views on whether the proposed new system is necessary and inevitable. [11088/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the electronic systems that are being introduced throughout the EU from 1 July 2009, under which pre-arrival and pre-departure information will, in certain circumstances, have to be sent electronically to Customs. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that these new systems, which are known as the Import Control System (in respect of pre-arrival information), and the Export Control System Phase 2 (in respect of pre-departure information), are legally required to be put in place in all 27 EU Member States by the July 2009 deadline. The legal instruments underpinning these systems are Council Regulation (EC) No 648/2005 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1875/2006.

The primary purpose of these new systems is to enable goods to be risk analysed for safety and security purposes in advance of the arrival of those goods into the customs territory of the Community or their departure from it. These systems form part of the European Union's response to a worldwide move to enhance the security of the global supply chain and protect it from, inter alia, terrorist threats. The implementation of these systems is being co-ordinated at EU level and the European Commission, the Customs Authorities of the 27 Member States and Trade Representative Bodies all participate in regular meetings of the Electronic Customs Group, which is the main Working Group overseeing this process at EU level.

At national level, Revenue has already begun the process required for the implementation of these systems. A Communications Programme to explain the requirements to the trade is already underway and a series of seminars are scheduled for the latter half of April. These seminars aim to build upon the information that Revenue has already disseminated regarding the introduction of these systems. Revenue will of course continue to ensure that freight and forwarding agents and other relevant parties are kept fully informed in relation to these changes but it is not envisaged that retraining or equipment grants would be provided. In order to minimise costs for the trade it is Revenue's intention that the new systems will effectively be enhancements to the existing AEP 2 system.

Revenue is aware of the challenges that will be posed by the introduction of these new systems. It looks forward to working with the trade, including freight and forwarding agents, over the coming months to ensure that the necessary preparations are put in place to enable the changes to be successfully implemented in line with the timescale agreed at EU level.