asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the drugs problem in Dublin city, he is satisfied with the level of training in drug detection which is provided for customs officers at importation points.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin City Drug Problem.
9.
I am fully aware of the need for continuing development of all aspects of training and control in the area of drug detection and I am satisfied that the level of training in drug detection for Customs and Excise staff at importation points, which compares favourably with international customs standards, is satisfactory.
In view of the fact that there is an epidemic situation in parts of Dublin, would the Minister agree that there is no training in the customs service? It has been alleged to me by a reliable source that when customs officers at a certain level express an interest in training they are abused and asked if they are using drugs themselves or why they have such an interest. I urge the Minister to review the training for customs officers. I ask the Minister to accept that training at present is negligible and practically non-existent.
I reject the fact that it is non-existent because two-day drugs seminars were held on 8 and 9 April and 28 and 29 October 1981, and as late as 20 January an information and assessment meeting for staff and management was held on the subject of drugs control as part of a scheme to keep developments at home and abroad in the drugs control field under constant review. If there are any improvements that can be made I assure the Deputy that I and other members of the Government who are directly responsible for the problems mentioned will do everything necessary in this regard.
I accept the Minister's concern. This is not a political issue. We are both on the same side. Would the Minister consider introducing sniffer dogs and similar type facilities at customs entry points to assist customs officers in their difficult duties?
I will consider what the Deputy has said. In January 1981, arising from extensive tests, a new field testing kit was tried out which is the Becton-Dickenson "NIK Polytesting" kit, and forensic scientists and the Garda approved that. The kit was introduced in April 1981 at 17 major import centres. It has proved very satisfactory. If there are new ways known to us locally or used internationally that can be introduced to detect the importation of drugs we will be oncoming in that regard.
In view of the serious situation that exists in Dublin city, will the Minister undertake to have an urgent review of this area with his colleagues, the Ministers for Justice and Health, particularly in the area of his own responsibility which is entry at customs point? Will the Minister undertake to carry out a review of the facilities that are now available?
Yes I will and will take the matter up with my two colleagues in the Departments of Justice and Health.
Can the Minister say if there is a drugs squad within the customs force and if there are, how many of them are working on land frontiers between the Republic and Northern Ireland?
I do not have that information. It is a separate question and if the Deputy puts down a question about it I will reply to it. This question is in relation to training of customs officers.
Will the Minister make the information available to me or circulate it with the Official Report?
I will see if that information is available and communicate it directly to the Deputy.
May I have a communication from the Minister?
Yes.