Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the stated position of the Minister for Finance, who informed me by parliamentary reply in February 2006 that the volume and type of business conducted at Weston Aerodrome does not justify the deployment of a permanent customs presence there. However, the seizure of approximately 50 kg of drugs, the arrest of five individuals and the impounding of a jet belonging to the aerodrome's owner strongly highlights the error of the Minister's position. A total of 18 visits by customs officials in the space of a year does not provide sufficient protection from wrongdoers and the Minister must now deploy full customs cover or suspend Weston's licence.

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