Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 March 2019
109. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance if funding will be provided for the purchase of an additional mobile X-ray scanner for the Revenue Commissioners; and the additional equipment that has been provided to the Revenue Commissioners' customs service in 2018 and to date in 2019. [11811/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that it currently has three mobile x-ray scanners, a ‘backscatter van’ scanner, and a specialist vehicle that contains both x-ray and radiation detection technology. All of the scanners are mobile and can be deployed to both frontier and internal operations. The ‘backscatter van’ scanner is Revenue’s most recent acquisition and became operational in December 2018. The cost of the scanner was part funded by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).
Revenue has also advised me that it continuously reviews its overall detection capability having regard to evolving risk, developments in technology and the obsolescence of existing equipment. On the basis of its most recent review, Revenue is satisfied that the level of resources currently available is fully sufficient.
