Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The Naval Service operates eight general purpose ships. All eight ships are involved in coastal and offshore patrolling and surveillance for the State in that part of the seas where State jurisdiction applies. The current exclusive fishery limits extend to 200 miles offshore and cover an area of 132,000 nautical square miles. The Naval Service currently patrols the entire 200 mile limit and periodically patrols beyond these limits to protect specific fisheries. These patrols are carried out on a regular basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary. The number of patrol vessels on patrol in Irish waters at any one time varies between three and eight. The Naval Service is committed to having at least three vessels on patrol within the Irish exclusive economic zone at any one time. All vessels are multi-tasked in the sense that they also undertake general surveillance, security and other duties while on patrol.

Responsibility for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Garda Síochána and Revenue Commissioners. However, the White Paper on Defence provides for a security role for the Naval Service to assist and support the civil authorities in this important work. Naval Service patrols at sea undoubtedly act as a deterrent in the fight against drug trafficking. However, increasingly this role is governed by intelligence-led operations and greater co-operation between national and international agencies.

Government measures to improve law enforcement in regard to drugs, including the establishment in 1993 of a joint task force involving the Garda Síochána, the Customs Service and Naval Service, have helped to maximise the effective use of Naval Service resources in combatting drug trafficking. There is close co-operation between the civil authorities and Naval Service in discharging this important mission.

Internationally, the establishment in 2007 of the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre - Narcotics, MAOC-N, has led to a greater focus on intelligence exchange among countries in tackling large drug shipments by sea. MACO-N was set up by seven European countries and is designed as an international co-ordination force with access to national tasking agencies and requires participation and resources from all active members. The Garda Síochána and Customs Service have full time officers based at the centre in Lisbon. Irish Naval Service personnel travel to the centre when requested by the joint task force.

Intelligence sharing and international surveillance capabilities played key roles in Ireland's largest drug seizure. In 2008, the Naval Service intercepted a yacht off the coast of west Cork and seized cocaine with an approximate value of €675 million. I am, therefore, confident that the current level of naval patrols, in conjunction with the intelligence initiatives, are effective in preventing drug importation.

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