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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 6

Written Answers. - Drugs Importation.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

132 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Defence the future role of the Naval Service in combating illegal drug importation into the State. [8825/00]

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, Government measures to improve law enforcement in relation to drugs, including the establishment, in 1993, of a joint task force involving the Garda, the customs service and the Naval Service, have helped to maximise the effective use of Naval Service resources in combating the illegal importation of drugs.

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. While Naval Service personnel are designated as enforcement officers under the Criminal Justice Act, 1994, in practice the Naval Service operates under the direction of the joint task force where measures to combat the importation of illegal drugs are concerned. In this regard the White Paper on Defence does not envisage any change in the role of the Naval Service.

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