Ulick Burke
Question:120 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Finance the number of visits made by the RCC Suibhéir to the port of Galway in the years 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43061/10]
View answerWednesday, 17 November 2010
Questions (90, 91)
Ulick Burke
Question:121 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Finance his plans to have a full-time cutter vessel located on the western seaboard to prevent drugs coming on shore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43062/10]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they operate two cutters. Both have a national remit, which includes the west coast of Ireland. Either or both vessels can and will be deployed to patrol and carry out operations along that coastline as and when required. Deployments consist of a mixture of routine patrols and specific risk-driven operations. This practice will continue. Revenue's policy of flexibility in the deployment and use of the cutters strives to maximise the value of these resources and to place them at the disposal of all areas of the coastline, as operational needs require.
In the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 R.C.C. Suirbhéir spent a total of 52 days in Galway port area. This includes 37 days on which the vessel entered Galway Docks area. As Galway Docks has controlled entry and exit to times of High Water it is not always possible, operationally, to confine the vessel for this length of time. On such occasions the vessel may berth at one of the available berthages in the Galway Bay area.