Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

A review is being undertaken by the Revenue Commissioners and it will include an examination of all the risks attached to the operation of and procedures attaching to aerodromes. The control of licensed aerodromes which do not have a permanent customs presence is carried out by dedicated anti-smuggling teams which focus on the smuggling of prohibited goods, including drugs and fiscal products. All of these operations are risk focused and staff are deployed to combat areas of greatest risk.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that all the available evidence from customs administrations worldwide indicates that the most effective means of detecting drug smuggling is by concentration on the development and gathering of information and intelligence in taking targeted action or intervention as a consequence. I am advised that the review is being expedited, but that to ensure it is as comprehensive as possible, it is likely to take approximately six weeks for completion. The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment on the specific issue because of the prospect of court proceedings.

I am aware of the statistics mentioned. Approximately 125 customs staff are involved directly in policing airports. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Weston notified third country arrivals by e-mail to a designated officer and customs enforcement administration unit at Dublin Airport. Weston Limited also supplies an extract from its electronic records of arrivals to customs at Dublin Airport on a monthly basis. Verification checks are carried out by way of audit of arrivals records and notifications received. This includes a visit to Weston and an examination of its records. There is no record of Weston having failed to notify Customs and Excise of a third party arrival.

Should a licensed aerodrome fail to give notification of third country arrivals, action may be taken under conditions of approval applicable to licensed aerodromes, condition 11 of which states that the Revenue Commissioners may at any time add to or vary these conditions and that they reserve the right to terminate the concession granted.

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