Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018
92. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number of visits either planned or unannounced that were attended by officers from the Revenue Commissioners relating to immigration bureau officer visits to the 12 other public licensed aerodromes not including the three State airports and 13 private licensed aerodromes by aerodrome from 1 January 2016 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36452/18]
View answer151. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number of Revenue Commissioners customs and excise officer visits to the 12 other public licensed aerodromes not including the three State airports and the 13 private licensed aerodromes by aerodrome; the number of planned and unannounced visits from 1 January 2016 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the number of visits either planned or unannounced that were also attended by officers from An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36450/18]
View answer152. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number of Revenue Commissioners customs and excise officer visits to sea and river ports and or docks by port and or dock; the number of planned and unannounced visits from 1 January 2016 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the number of visits either planned or unannounced that were also attended by officers from An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36451/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 151 and 152 together.
In relation to Question 36450/18, I am advised by Revenue that according to the Irish Aviation Authority there are currently 10 public licenced aerodromes apart from the three State airports. These are the five regional airports at Donegal, Sligo, Ireland West (Knock), Kerry and Waterford and the five aerodromes licensed for public use at Connemara, Inis Mór, Inis Meáin, Inis Oírr and Weston.
I am advised by Revenue that a decision by them to undertake a visit to any aerodrome is based on Revenue's assessment of risk, having regard to a range of factors, including intelligence. Such visits are normally unannounced, but may from time to time be announced visits having regard to Revenue’s particular focus and engagement in the context of a visit. Officers from An Garda Síochána did not accompany Revenue officers on any of these visits.
A table detailing the statistical information requested is attached.
Table: Aerodrome visits by Revenue Customs from 1 Jan 2016 to 31 August 2018
|
Aerodrome/Airport |
Announced |
Unannounced |
|
Kerry |
0 |
136 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
9 |
|
Inis Meáin |
0 |
0 |
|
Inis Mór |
0 |
4 |
|
Inis Oírr |
0 |
0 |
|
Ireland West (Knock) |
0 |
275 |
|
Connemara |
8 |
17 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
17 |
|
Waterford |
0 |
10 |
|
Weston |
2 |
87 |
|
Grand Total |
10 |
555 |
In relation to Question 36451/18, I am advised by Revenue that in the period from 1 January 2016 until 31 August 2018 there were 4,794 visits to ports, harbours and marinas. A decision by Revenue to undertake a visit to any such facility is based on Revenue's assessment of risk, having regard to a range of factors, including intelligence. Such visits are normally unannounced, but may from time to time be announced having regard to Revenue’s particular focus and engagement in the context of a visit. Officers from An Garda Síochána accompanied Revenue officers on 144 visits.
The following table sets out the statistical information requested.
Table : Port, Harbour and Marina visits by Revenue Customs from 1 Jan 2016 to 31 August 2018
|
Ports, Harbours, Marinas |
|
Adrigole |
|
Arklow |
|
Askeaton |
|
Aughinish |
|
Arklow |
|
Ballyglass |
|
Ballynacally |
|
Ballysteen Pier |
|
Ballyvaughan |
|
Baltimore |
|
Bantry |
|
Belview |
|
Caherciveen |
|
Carrigaholt Piers |
|
Carlingford |
|
Castletownbere |
|
Castletownshend |
|
Cobh |
|
Cork City |
|
Crosshaven |
|
Customs House Quay, Cork |
|
Dingle |
|
Dinish Island |
|
Doonbeg pier |
|
Drogheda |
|
Dublin Port |
|
Dundalk |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
|
Dunmore East |
|
Fenit |
|
Foynes |
|
Galway |
|
Goleen |
|
Glandore |
|
Glin Pier |
|
Greencastle |
|
Greenore |
|
Greystones |
|
Horgan's Quay |
|
Howth |
|
Killadysert Pier |
|
Killybegs |
|
Kilmore Quay |
|
Kilrush |
|
Kilteery Pier |
|
Kinsale |
|
Lawerence Cove |
|
Limerick |
|
Liscannor Pier |
|
Marino Point |
|
Monkstown, Cork |
|
Moneypoint |
|
New Ross |
|
Passage |
|
Port Magee |
|
Querrin Pier |
|
Ringaskiddy |
|
Ringmoylan Pier |
|
Rossaveal |
|
Rosslare Harbour |
|
Schull |
|
Sherkin Island |
|
Sligo |
|
South Jetties |
|
Tarbert |
|
Tivoli |
|
Union Hall |
|
Valentia |
|
Wicklow |
|
Waterford |
|
Youghal |
|
Sub Total |
|
Other visits (These are visits by Revenue Maritime staff or Revenue Customs Cutters to locations e.g. piers and slipways, as part of a risk assessment of potential landing spots for prohibited and restricted goods. A breakdown by location is not available) |
|
Full Total |
In relation to Question 36452/18, I am advised by Revenue that according to the Irish Aviation Authority there are currently 10 public licenced aerodromes apart from the three State airports. These are the five regional airports at Donegal, Sligo, Ireland West (Knock), Kerry and Waterford and the five aerodromes licensed for public use at Connemara, Inis Mór, Inis Meáin, Inis Oírr and Weston.
I am advised by Revenue that between the period 1 Jan 2016 to 31 August 2018 there were 565 visits by Revenue Customs of which 10 visits were announced and 555 visits were unannounced. No officers from An Garda Síochána, which includes the Garda National Immigration Bureau, accompanied Revenue officers on any of these visits.
