Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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188. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on two vehicles that arrived at customs on 9 January 2021 and were subsequently held for 26 hours with no communication from customs which resulted in their having to leave the loads behind as delivery slots had been missed; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that his singular event led to a loss of revenue of approximately €1,200 per vehicle as items on board were perishable this excluding the cost of diesel, drivers' wages and other overheads. [3655/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Revenue that in the absence of specific details, it is not in a position to comment on the case referred to by the Deputy. If the Deputy wishes to provide me with the specific details, I will pass these on to Revenue and Revenue will be happy to engage directly with the Deputy on the matter.

I am advised by Revenue that its overarching objective in the context of the trading arrangements with Great Britain, following completion of the UKs departure from the EU, is to facilitate the movement of legitimate trade. Since January 1, following the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, the UK has been outside the EU Single Market and Customs Union and is now a 3rd country which means that a range of customs formalities apply to goods moving to, from or through the United Kingdom, excluding Northern Ireland. In that context, I am assured by Revenue that it appreciates the challenges that the freight industry is facing due to the new trading arrangements, with the customs formalities and other regulatory requirements that now apply to such trade. Customs requirements can be complex for businesses, but it is essential that Ireland fulfils its obligations as a member of the EU and that we protect public health, food safety and product standards as well as the integrity of the Single Market and the Customs Union. Customs and SPS formalities are now an integral part of trade with Great Britain.

I appreciate that some businesses have encountered challenges in meeting their customs obligations, but it is also important to recognise that a significant number of businesses have successfully made the transition to the new trading environment and that the majority of goods going through the ports are being green routed on arrival meaning they can leave the port without the need for intervention by Customs or other State agencies.

Where businesses are experiencing delays, I am informed by Revenue that in the majority of cases, this has been caused by customs documentation not being provided or having been completed incorrectly and as a result the goods cannot be released from the port for free circulation.

While Revenue is not in a position to comment on the specific case, I am advised that in most instances of delay it is a feature of incomplete or incorrect information which prevents the desired clearance of the goods.

Revenue has provided a 24/7 helpline service that can be contacted when a particular issue arises, 01-7383685. Revenue is continuing its intensive engagement with trade and business, on both a collective and individual basis, including meetings with haulage representative bodies. Revenue will continue to consider the issues raised with them in order to find practical solutions, where that is possible, to resolve problems being encountered.