Vol. 486 No. 1
386 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Defence his views on the merits of remanning the lighthouses around our coast to help combat the importation of drugs by sea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1669/98]
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 routine patrols Naval Service vessels may be deployed to anti-drug 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.
The question of what additional, non-military measures might be taken to combat the illegal importaton of drugs by sea is not a matter for my Department.
