Vol. 416 No. 1
26 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence if he has any plans to introduce legislation which would enable the Naval Service to operate a stop and search operation of private leisure and commercial craft approaching our coast, taking into consideration the amount of drugs which is now believed to be imported along our unguarded coastline.
I have no plans to introduce such legislation. Legislation responsibility for the control of the illegal importation of drugs rests primarily with the Revenue Commissioners and the Minister for Finance. Provisions exists under section 22 of the Finance Act, 1940, whereby the Revenue Commissioners can authorise members of the Defence Forces to act as officers of Customs and Excise and grant them all the powers, authorities and privileges which are conferred on or vested in an officer of Customs and Excise.
