Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 April 2011
59 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if there are plans to establish a border inspection post at a location (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8956/11]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there are no plans at present to establish a border inspection or other such post at Killybegs. Service to Killybegs-based traders is available from the Revenue office in Donegal Town, which is only 25 kilometres from Killybegs. A pool of staff is available at Donegal Town to ensure continuity and consistency of service and to deliver a broad range of customer services from that location. All traders concerned have full contact details for relevant Revenue staff, including contact names, telephone and fax numbers and e-mail addresses. Where necessary, an officer from Donegal Town attends at Killybegs by appointment if physical presence is needed for any particular transaction.
The level of service provided, as well as the methods of service delivery, is kept under review. The Revenue Anti-Evasion Teams cover Killybegs Port as part of their ongoing patrols, while the Customs Cutter patrols the coastline. The attendance of these enforcement personnel is selective and targeted and is based on analysis and evaluation of national and international seizure trends, traffic frequency, routes and other risk indicators. Attendance can also be as a result of specific intelligence. Patrols of the ports are kept under constant review to take account of available intelligence and emerging smuggling trends.
