asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the grave inconvenience caused to the public owing to the difficulties of obtaining release of goods subject to duty, and will he, in view of the largely increased number of articles subject to Customs duty, take steps to expedite the release of such goods and thereby facilitate traders and others interested.

I am not aware of any grave inconvenience to the public caused by difficulties in obtaining release of imported goods liable to Customs duty. If the Deputy is aware of any specific case of this nature and will furnish me with particulars I shall have inquiry made.

Arising out of that answer, I must say that I consider the President's statement an extraordinary one in view of the fact that everybody knows there is a very serious delay and very great inconvenience caused to traders and to the public generally.

The Minister's reply indicates that he is not aware of any such delay. He will be glad if Deputy Shaw or any other Deputy could furnish him with particulars of specific cases.