Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2010
122 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the number of aircraft searched by Customs and Excise at Baldonnel and Weston Airports in 2009 and to date in 2010; the number of seizures at each airport in each year; the number of drug seizures as a result of searches at each airport in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42382/10]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that decisions on whether or not to search aircraft are taken following profiling and review of intelligence. In 2009, 61 searches of aircraft were carried out at Weston, while to date in 2010, 33 searches of aircraft have taken place there. No seizures were made and no drugs were detected in either 2009 or 2010. In relation to Baldonnel Aerodrome, no searches of aircraft have been carried out in the year 2009, or to date in 2010 on the basis that profiling of the traffic using the aerodrome and review of available intelligence suggests that the risk of smuggling through this location is minimal.
