Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 5 Apr 1995

Vol. 451 No. 6

Written Answers. - Importation of Drugs.

Batt O'Keeffe

Ceist:

36 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied himself with the level of protection given against the importation of drugs, particularly in the Cork and Kerry regions; and the measures, if any, he will put in place to limit the perception that the Cork and Kerry coast is the drugs gateway for Europe. [4951/95]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

On the general question, as the Deputy will be aware, the Customs National Drugs Team (CNDT) was set up by the Revenue Commissioners with the advent of the Single Market in view of the increased responsibility on the Irish Customs service for protecting our own coastline as well as that of the European Union, in the battle against the illegal importation of drugs. The CNDT comprising over seventy staff, consists of intelligence units, operational units, maritime units and sniffer-dog units which are strategically based at locations throughout the country. These specialist officials are supplemented by the general cadre of Customs and Excise staff who are also responsible for the detection and prevention of drug smuggling as part of their normal duties.

The CNDT maintains contacts with Customs administrations throughout the world by means of international conventions to which Ireland is a contracting party. In addition, a highly developed computer system, the customs information system which links the customs services of EU member states has been established to facilitate quick and effective exchanges of information regarding suspect movements of people and goods.

The CNDT has negotiated memoranda of understanding with trade associations and companies involved in the transport of goods and persons as part of the continuing drive against drug smuggling. Additionally, they recently launched the coastal and airfield reporting pack under the drug watch programme. The pack has had wide distribution and enlists the assistance of coastal communities, maritime personnel, people residing in close proximity to airfields and other members of the public and encourages the reporting of unusual occurrences in their areas to Customs by freefone or freepost.

There is close co-operation between all Government agencies — Customs, Garda, the Naval Service and the Air Corps — in the battle against drug smuggling.

The Deputy may also know that the Minister for Justice is considering a report prepared in her Department, in consultation with all concerned, with a view to putting proposals to Government to ensure that this co-operation is maximised.

On resources generally, I would remind Deputies that a case has been made at European Union level for the provision of assistance to enable this country to equip itself better to protect the Irish sector of the Union's external frontier. While the allocation in the current year's Community budget is insufficient for this purpose, the funding issue will continue to be pursued in the context of discussion of next year's budget.

The Revenue Commissioners are fully alert to the danger of drug smuggling along our coastline particularly in the Cork and Kerry regions. The level of seizures by Customs and the Garda indicate major drug smuggling activity along the south-west and west coasts in recent years. The measures I have already outlined, including the deployment of intelligence units in strategic locations, the information received under the drug watch programme, the development of memoranda of understanding with Irish organisations and liaison with European Union counterparts and other international organisations, ensures that ongoing intelligence is available in the fight against drug smuggling.

In the circumstances I am satisfied that Customs, in co-operation with the other enforcement agencies concerned, provide adequate protection at present against the illegal importation of drugs and the situation will of course be kept under review.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to compliment the Customs national drugs team and the Garda authorities on the major seizures of cannabis resin at Dublin Port on Friday last and of ecstacy tablets at Dún Laoghaire on Sunday. The seizures are another practical demonstration of the continuing efforts by the State agencies to combat smuggling of drugs into this country.