Vol. 470 No. 3
145 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to increase the Navy's long range patrol and interception vessels; and if so, the timeframe within which he plans to do this in view of the absolute need to tackle seaborne drugs smuggling. [18959/96]
At present the Naval Service is equipped with a total of seven vessels comprising one helicopter carrying patrol vessel, four off shore patrol vessels and two coastal patrol vessels.
Responsibility for the prevention of the illegal importation of drugs rests primarily with the Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners while the main day to day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. During the course of such patrols Naval Service vessels may be deployed to anti-drugs smuggling operations. Naval Service vessels are specifically tasked from time to time to carry out drug search and interdiction operations in aid of the civil authorities.
Existing resources have enabled the Naval Service to respond effectively to such taskings. 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.
As I outlined previously to the House the EU has introduced a five year programme of financial aid towards the cost of measures to enforce the Common Fisheries Policy. In this context the question of the resources required by the Naval Service to ensure effective enforcement of the various regulations taking account of the control measures agreed in December 1995 is being examined. The purpose of this exercise is to ensure that Ireland will derive the maximum benefit from the available EU support including support for the purchase of additional patrol vessels.
