Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Oct 1995

Vol. 457 No. 3

Written Answers. - Staff Redeployment.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

43 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance the number of Customs and Excise Duty personnel released from Border-related duties since the ceasefire; and the plans, if any, which exist to deploy these resources in preventing illegal drug traffickers from continuing their criminal activities. [13811/95]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that with the abolition of systematic checks at internal frontiers on the introduction of the Single Market on 1 January 1993, there was a general redeployment of Customs and Excise personnel from border related duties. Accordingly, the cessation of violence announced by the paramilitary organisations last year did not give rise to any further deployment.

However, as I have indicated to the House previously, a Customs National Drugs Team (CNDT) was set up by the Revenue Commissioners with the advent of the Single Market and in view of the increased role which Ireland is now required to play in protecting our own coastline as well as that of the European Union, in the battle against the illegal importation of drugs. The CNDT, comprising over 70 staff, consists of intelligence units, operational units, maritime units and sniffer-dog units which are strategically placed throughout the country. All units are mobile and employ the most modern means of communication and have access to aerial and sea surveillance. These specialist officials supplement the general body of Customs and Excise staff who are also responsible for the detection and prevention of drug smuggling as part of their normal duties.

Because of the vital role played by intelligence in combating drug smuggling, the Customs Service has devoted considerable attention to ways of enhancing intelligence gathering. Twenty eight staff of the CNDT are specially dedicated to this work. The co-operation and assistance of trade associations as well as individual companies involved in the movement of goods and persons has been enlisted through the conclusion of Memoranda of Understanding. These are aimed at heightening the awareness of employees of airlines, shipping companies, freight forwarders, ferry companies etc. to the dangers of drugs smuggling and provide them with ready channels of communication with Customs. There is also close international co-operation in the area of intelligence exchange.

The deployment of resources is of course kept under review.