Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I join with the Minister in acknowledging the success of the Garda Síochána in seizing €4 million worth of heroin last night. However, if such a seizure took place five years ago it would have meant a shortage of heroin on the streets. This did not happen because it was the tip of the iceberg such is the problem and the difficulties involved.

As far as cocaine is concerned, this week the Minister will have seen a report which states three times the amount of cocaine is on the streets now compared to five years ago. The Minister mentioned supply reduction in his reply. The Government is failing abysmally. While the amount of drugs on our streets has increased to record proportions, our ports are manned by one x-ray scanner and surveillance equipment for our seas amounts to one boat.

What is the story with the second mobile x-ray scanner? Does the Minister accept what the Garda Síochána appears to accept, which is that criminal gangsters are aware that the mobile scanner is in Cork and will use a ferry port in Wexford or Dublin to bring their illicit consignment into the State? I was informed by the Minister's predecessor that a second scanner was on the way. Where is it?

What steps has the Department taken in conjunction with customs officials to ensure a second coast guard boat can be acquired? It is unacceptable and impossible for 4,000 km of Irish coastline to be guarded by a solitary boat. What steps has the Minister taken to deal with this issue since he took office?

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