Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Gregory for raising this important issue and giving me the opportunity, on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to update the House on this matter.

The reported seizure earlier this week in Belgium of 50 kg of heroin, the arrest of three Irish nationals and the seizure of an aircraft based at Weston Aerodrome is a matter of major concern to the Government. All attempts at large-scale smuggling of illegal drugs into this country need to be considered in the context in which such activity takes place. The global illicit drugs trade, according to the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime, is reputed to exceed billions of dollars annually. The key drivers for this phenomenon include both economics and the attitude of societies towards illicit drug consumption.

The economic environment impacts on illicit drug consumption and supply in two principal ways. First, the increased prosperity brought about by globalisation and by the development of our own economy has provided significant disposable income to most citizens. This has pulled the demand for drugs within the State, as well as making Ireland a popular market for criminal organisations involved in the international drugs market. Second, globalisation itself has caused international trade in both goods and services to increase exponentially over the past decade, making it easier for criminal networks to conceal illicit commodities within legitimate freight. As a small open economy Ireland is particularly vulnerable. The economics of drug trafficking make it a particularly attractive activity for criminal organisations. This is principally driven by the considerable financial rewards which can accrue at each stage of the trafficking process. With the potential for high profit margins which the business of drug trafficking can facilitate, it is hardly surprising that drug trafficking and distribution is such an attractive prospect for organised crime.

The second major factor influencing the illicit drugs trade is the attitude within societies to the consumption of illicit drugs. Ireland continues to record significant levels of drug prevalence, as demonstrated by the results of the most recent comprehensive drug prevalence study conducted by the national advisory committee on drugs in 2002 and 2003. The significant demand for illegal drugs by Irish citizens fuels the drugs trade as well as the organised criminal gangs that supply and distribute illegal drugs within this society. The national drugs strategy addresses the problem of drug misuse across a number of pillars — supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research — and implementation of the strategy across a range of Departments and agencies is co-ordinated by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The criminal justice response is primarily, though not exclusively, in the area of drug supply control and the Garda plays a key role in tackling the problem of drug misuse locally, nationally and internationally. Garda strategies for dealing with drug offences are designed to undermine the activities of organised criminal networks involved in the trafficking and distribution of illicit drugs. These strategies include gathering intelligence on individuals and organisations involved in the distribution of drugs, conducting targeted operations on criminal networks based on intelligence gathered and working in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies within and outside the jurisdiction to address the national as well as international aspects of drug trafficking and distribution. These strategies continue to result in operational successes as evidenced by the ongoing levels of drugs seized by the Garda. The trafficking and distribution of all illicit drugs at local, national and international level is constantly monitored by the Garda.

The Customs and Excise service of the Revenue Commissioners has primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of controlled drugs at importation. The service has particular responsibility for implementing import controls at points of entry to the State, specifically at ports, airports, including licensed airfields, and on the land frontier. A number of the specific measures being undertaken by both the Garda and the customs service to address the issues raised by the Deputy include continued co-operation between the Garda and the Customs and Excise service under the terms of the memorandum of understanding in place between both agencies in the proactive investigation of persons suspected to be involved in international drug trafficking; continued liaison with various law enforcement agencies throughout Europe through Europol and Interpol; ongoing formal and informal contact with management of aerodromes throughout the country; ongoing liaison with the Irish Aviation Authority in regard to the registration of aircraft and licensing of flight crews; rigorous checks on the issue of airside passes at larger airports to flight crews of smaller aircraft; and the customs drug watch programme which incorporates a coastal and airfield reporting system whereby local customs officers visit all licensed aerodromes and airfields regularly. This also includes a confidential system of communication between the licensed aerodrome operators and the Customs and Excise service. In addition to local intelligence, the customs service shares and receives information and intelligence on drug smuggling from a number of international bodies.

In light of the Belgian seizure this week, the Minister has been advised that the Revenue Commissioners are reviewing the risks attached to the operation of all 27 licensed aerodromes in the State, including Weston. The Government has been assured that the monitoring of licensed aerodromes in the State by the Revenue Commissioners is currently in line with international standards. The Customs and Excise service is continuously engaged in the analysis and evaluation of seizure trends, routes and smuggling risks and consequential resource deployment. All customs operations are risk focussed and staff are deployed to combat areas of greatest risk. The level of activity at licensed aerodromes is constantly monitored from a risk perspective. However, in light of the concerns raised by the seizure this week, the conditions of under which the Revenue Commissioners approve licensed aerodromes will be immediately reviewed. This review will include options for improving the level of control and prior reporting of arrivals from EU and non-EU countries. The Revenue Commissioners will also review the frequency of checking incoming flights to these aerodromes.

The Government's top policing priority for 2006 is to target organised crime, including drug trafficking, and to ensure that the necessary strategies and measures are in place to tackle the problem.

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