Vol. 515 No. 6
253 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to man lighthouses in the interests of preventing drugs from being landed on the coastline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6861/00]
An Garda Síochána has primary responsibility for the apprehension and arrest of persons suspected of smuggling or the illegal importation of controlled drugs.
The Customs and Excise service of the Revenue Commissioners has primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of controlled drugs intended to be smuggled into the State by sea and air.
A coastal watch scheme is in place along our coastline. This scheme involves: educating the public in relation to the possibility of drug traffickers importing drugs along the coastline, ensuring that information is recorded and channelled efficiently and ensuring that intelligence reports are utilised to the full.
To co-ordinate the management of this scheme a coastal watch co-ordinator has been appointed in the relevant areas. These co-ordinators are members of the Garda Síochána at the rank of inspector and are instrumental in cultivating contact with the following key members of the public: residents along the coast; farmers with land on the coast; island dwellers; local fishermen; members of local boat clubs; harbour masters; postmen; hotel, guest house, caravan and holiday home staff; lifeboat personnel, lifeguards, cliff/sea rescue personnel; beachcombers; rig workers; and wildlife rangers.
In addition to the coastal watch co-ordinators, the divisional drugs units and the Garda national drugs unit liaise regularly with the customs national drugs team in relation to matters affecting the possible use of our coastline by international drug traffickers.
The issue of manning lighthouses falls within the remit of my ministerial colleague, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources.
