Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 July 2016
100. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied with the current resources being provided for the detection of drugs in the Border, midlands and west region and the State in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22955/16]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that it currently has approximately 2,000 staff countrywide engaged on activities that are dedicated to targeting and confronting non-compliance. These activities include anti-smuggling and anti-evasion, investigation and prosecution, audit, assurance checks, anti-avoidance, returns compliance and debt collection. There are currently 860 Revenue staff serving in the Border, Midlands, West Region, of which approximately 360 are engaged on these activities in the region.
As part of its risk focused approach to the discharge of its role in relation to illegal drugs importations, harbours and inlets along the coastline are monitored and evaluated by Revenue on an ongoing basis from the point of view of the potential for smuggling. This work is supplemented by Revenue's Customs Drug Watch Programme, aimed at encouraging members of the public, coastal and local maritime communities etc. to notify Revenue in confidence of suspect or unusual movements at sea or around the coast through a confidential 24/7 Drugs Watch free phone facility.
I know that Revenue is active in targeting and combatting drugs smuggling and is fully committed to tackling this criminal activity and those responsible for it. I am advised by Revenue that it has an enforcement presence at all key airports and ports and at other strategic locations and that it places particular emphasis on developing an intelligence-based focus at both national and regional level, deploying resources to areas of highest risk. Enforcement strength at particular locations is regularly augmented with additional personnel on a risk-assessment basis, or when particular operations are taking place against illegal activity.
Revenue works closely with other agencies in the State, including An Garda Síochána and the Health Products Regulatory Authority, in acting against the illegal drugs trade, and plays a key role as well in the implementation of aspects of the National Drugs Strategy relevant to its remit. The relevant authorities in the State also work closely with their counterparts in Northern Ireland to target organised crime groups that are involved in a range of criminal activities, including the illegal drugs trade. I believe that this work to tackle cross-jurisdictional organised crime is being supported and reinforced by the establishment, in the framework of "A Fresh Start: The Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan", of the Joint Agency Task Force, which includes the Revenue Commissioners. In addition, Revenue is involved actively in international fora, including the EU's Customs Cooperation Working Party, Europol and the World Customs Organisation, in working together with other administrations, agencies and services to counter the trafficking of drugs and drugs precursors.
I am satisfied that Revenue treats action against the trade in illegal drugs as a key priority and that it will continue to be a central element of their work.
