Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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118. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will immediately intervene to assist a Kerry-based company (details supplied) that is in danger of demise and which has submitted claims for the return of Belgian excise duty for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, to the total sum of €103,760.00; if he will ensure that this company, which employs over 40 persons, is reimbursed these moneys and allowed to remain viable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44612/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I share the concerns of the Deputy and fully understand the frustration of the company at the long delay in reimbursing excise duty due to them for the years in question. I am particularly concerned by the risk which this delay poses to the viability of the company, and the livelihoods of all involved. At my request, the Irish Embassy in Brussels contacted the Belgian authorities, and by way of follow up, our Ambassador met today with senior officials of the Belgian Customs Service to directly express our concern about the situation and to highlight the serious impact of this on the company's operations. The senior officials advised our Ambassador that Customs will shortly be in contact with the company concerning these claims.

I have asked the Embassy to keep me advised of developments and I will contact the Deputy as soon as there is further information to report.