Vol. 460 No. 8
19 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Defence the number of requests which the Naval Service received from the civil authorities in 1995 to provide assistance in combating the illegal importation of drugs; the additional resources, if any, that will be made available to the Naval Service to facilitate the performance of their duties in that regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2156/96]
Responsibility for the prevention of the illegal importation of drugs rests primarily with the Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners. The Defence Forces, including the Naval Service, respond to requests from the civil authorities for assistance, including assistance in combating the illegal importation of drugs, and they will continue to do so. It is not the practice for operational and security reasons to give details of the number of such requests.
Existing resources have enabled the Naval Service to respond effectively to such requests. Recent Government measures to improve law enforcement in relation to drugs, including the establishment of a Joint Task Force involving the Garda, the Customs Service and the Naval Service, will help to maximise the effective use of Naval Service resources in combating the illegal importation of drugs. The designation of Naval Service personnel as enforcement officers under the Criminal Justice Act, 1994, will also increase the role and effectiveness of the Naval Service in this area. The question of whether additional resources are required will be kept under review as these measures are implemented.
