Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Apr 1996

Vol. 463 No. 6

Written Answers. - Urlingford (Kilkenny) Drugs Operation.

Michael McDowell

Ceist:

110 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Finance in relation to the 13 tonnes of cannabis found at Urlingford, County Kilkenny in 1995, when customs and excise were informed that the drugs were coming into Ireland; the role of customs and excise in the operation; whether any information regarding the drugs was leaked by customs and excise to the media; whether any inquiry by customs and excise into an alleged media leak has taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6868/96]

Michael McDowell

Ceist:

111 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to published suggestions that the Urlingford drugs operation. County Kilkenny was compromised by leaks from executive officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6890/96]

Michael McDowell

Ceist:

112 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement regarding the involvement of the customs service in the landing, surveillance, and public exposure of the importation of the 13 tonnes of cannabis located at Urlingford, County Kilkenny in November 1995. [6891/96]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 111 and 112 together.

As I informed the House on 12 March 1996, in response to questions by the Deputy and others, the operation in question was primarily a matter for the Garda and is. I understand, the subject of ongoing investigation by them. In the light of this I have nothing further to add to what I said about the operation in the House on that occasion.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they are satisfied, following an investigation they have made, that media reports with regard to a leak by customs about the operation are without foundation. This was made clear by the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee on 7 March. The Chairman of the Commissioners has also informed me that he had been assured by the Secretary of the Department of Justice that the Garda Commissioner has no information that would support an allegation that any leak came from customs. I am satisfied that any leak that may have occured did not emanate from customs and I am pleased to have this opportunity to make it clear that there is no basis for the allegations in this regard.