Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I ask the Chair to excuse my croak. This useful debate has given the House an opportunity to address the important topic of gangland crime. It is right that the State's response to these crimes is discussed here and elsewhere. We should reflect on the further action that is needed in response to an evolving situation.

In so doing, however, one must not lose sight of a most important fact which is that the people responsible for these crimes are those who commit them. Gun crime, organised crime and drug-related crime are inextricably linked. The Minister has reiterated that he attaches the highest priority to tackling these types of crime and bringing those involved in such activities to justice and this is reflected in the priorities he has set for the Garda Síochána.

I wish to say a few words, as promised, about customs controls. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that these controls are risk-based and a permanent customs presence is in place at major ports and airports. Controls at smaller ports and airports are carried out by mobile customs enforcement staff, whose attendance is selective and targeted, based on analysis and evaluation of national and international seizure trends, traffic frequency, routes and other risk indicators. Attendance can also be as a result of specific intelligence. Traffic with origins and destinations with a high-risk rating attracts particular interest. The approach is to balance the principle of freedom of movement within the EU of people and goods with the need to control smuggling and enforce prohibitions and restrictions.

I have been assured by the Revenue Commissioners that while the situation is kept under review, they are satisfied with the current level of customs controls at these locations. In particular, they are satisfied that the risk-based approach remains valid and that the controls applied are on a par with and may even exceed those of many other EU member states. While Revenue's customs service has primary responsibility for the detection and seizure of controlled drugs at importation, there is a high degree of co-operation between all of the enforcement agencies of the State in the fight against the importation of illicit drugs. In particular, Revenue has good working relationships with the Garda Síochána and the Naval Service and a joint task force arrangement is in place to enhance and support these relationships with regular contact and co-operation between the agencies.

Regarding the smaller aerodromes, it should be noted that some are licensed by the Irish Aviation Authority but there are a number where, because of the limited nature of the activity at the aerodrome, a licensing requirement does not arise. Irrespective of the licensing situation, both Revenue's customs service and the Garda Síochána are conscious of the need to monitor activity at such smaller aerodromes. Whereas both agencies have distinct operational protocols and priorities, they adopt a collaborative and complementary approach to areas of common interest. For example, during 2008, they held a series of joint regional meetings with the smaller airport operators, aimed specifically at increasing the operators' awareness that their facilities could be used by drug traffickers and offering advice on minimising risk.

Revenue continues to upgrade its equipment and technology in the fight against illicit imports. Last year saw the delivery of a second purpose-built customs cutter, RCC Faire, which is being introduced as a further development of Revenue's response to the problem of drugs importations and other smuggling via the Irish coastline. The RCC Faire's sister vessel is RCC Suirbhéir, which was the first customs cutter in the State and was launched in Cork in June 2004. The main function of the Revenue cutters is to monitor the coastline and search suspicious vessels. The arrival of RCC Faire now ensures that our maritime presence will be much more visible than heretofore. It will enable more effective coastal patrols and increase our capacity to contribute to international operations

A further important development in 2009 was the delivery of a second X-ray container scanner to complement the original scanner first deployed in 2006. The original machine has proved its worth as a drug interdiction resource, and has contributed to the seizure of significant quantities of drugs and other contraband. The deployment of a second scanner is seen as a significant increase in resources for Irish customs and should serve to strengthen our national controls. The customs service has 13 detector dog teams in the Dublin, east-south east, south west and Border-midlands-west regions. The dogs are used for the detection of drugs, tobacco and cash. The dogs teams are also used in Garda drugs searches, if requested. The Garda dog units in the Dublin metropolitan and southern regions are an integral part of policing. The dogs are trained to detect heroin, cocaine, cannabis and other drugs in indoor and outdoor situations, as well as firearms and explosives. The Irish Prison Service utilises a drug detection dog service at all closed prisons as part of the screening process for persons entering the prisons. This serves to underline the value and protection provided by animals that deserve in many contexts their title of man's best friend.

Internationally, Irish customs participates in the fight against drug smuggling through its involvement with Europol in The Hague and the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre — Narcotics, MAOC-N, in Lisbon. Irish customs officers are based in these locations and contribute their expertise to the international response to the threat posed by illicit drugs. The assignment of staff to these international agencies is seen as an important and necessary response to the drugs menace. In 2008, the role played by MAOC-N in support of Operation Sea Bight, in which cocaine with an estimated street value of €105 million was intercepted on the high seas on board the yacht Dances with Waves, served to underline the value of participation in these international agencies.

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