Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will establish a register for certain small craft which would, as the Revenue Commissioners have suggested to his Department, be of considerable benefit to Revenue in controlling coastal smuggling, particularly drug smuggling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3872/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Mercantile Marine Act 1955 sets out the requirements for registering vessels in Ireland. Irish-owned vessels over 15 net tons are required to be registered under the Act. However, for vessels under 15 net tons, registration is voluntary and owners may register such a craft if they so wish. Small leisure craft would fall into this category.

The 1955 Act and the system of registration in Ireland are under review in my Department. The comments received during an earlier consultation exercise are being taken into account in the deliberations on a proposed new regime. One of the issues being considered is how best to improve provision for the registration of leisure craft, including jet skis and other small craft.

The Revenue Commissioners have indicated their support for a revision of the current system of registration. Following completion of the current phase of the review, they will be consulted, with other relevant parties, on new outline proposals to replace the existing regime. It is intended that this consultation process will commence in March. My officials will continue to develop more detailed proposals for the revision of the existing registration system, taking into account the outcome of the public consultation, with a view to submitting proposals for new legislation to Government by the end of the year.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. The then Department responsible for the marine proposed in 2005 that there would be a register for certain small craft. The Revenue Commissioners wrote to the Minister's Department last October stating they were deeply concerned about this issue and referring to coastal smuggling, in particular drug smuggling. Deputies Flanagan and Ring will deal with the drug aspects of this issue for my party.

As I understand it, Revenue has just one boat with which to police drug smugglers and much of its work is based on intelligence it receives. We are not talking about small power boats or rowing boats but about craft with the capacity to operate some distance out to sea. Is it not the case that the drug seizures made represent the tip of the iceberg? We welcome the seizures made in Cork last year but if all the craft capable of smuggling drugs are not registered and if the Minister does not act in line with the proposal made by his Department almost four years ago, we will not get to grips with the problem.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The process of change is under way at present. As is the nature with all such issues, it is necessary to have consultations, otherwise one would be accused of acting in a unilateral manner. When the consultation process is complete, proposals will be put forward in line with the Deputy's request. Following that, it will be necessary to put legislation in place.

When drafting legislation of this nature, we must ensure, in line with the point made by the Deputy, that we do not end up in a situation where rowing boats, jet skis and so on are also caught by the measures. It is a question of keeping a balance.

We expect that all the consultations will be complete and the draft legislation in place by the end of the year. I believe it will meet the Deputy's requirements.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I reiterate that it is four long years since this proposal was made by the Minister's Department. I do not accept the Department or the Minister are dealing effectively with this issue. The country is awash with drugs. It is predicted internationally that we are seizing less than 20% of the drugs that come into the country. Given the nature of the west and south coasts, drugs are being brought in via the coastline and spread throughout Europe. It is a serious issue and the Revenue Commissioners are very anxious in this regard.

I am not happy with the Minister's response, which is inadequate in view of the seriousness of the issue and the drugs crisis, particularly with regard to cocaine. People are dying on the streets of Dublin because of cocaine and gangsters are being murdered on the Costa del Sol as a result of the profits being made. The Minister's response is too laid back and not good enough. We do not accept he is doing his job properly.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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We are only three minutes in and already I am not doing my job properly. It usually takes a few minutes longer than that.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The Minister has been in office for ten years in different capacities. He is not doing his job at all.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I have been in this job for approximately eight months. As I said to the Deputy, this matter is in hand and legislation will be put in place. Revenue may have only one vessel patrolling our coasts but the Naval Service patrols the coast and is used to assist in this area. It is doing an excellent job.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It has more to do with salmon than drugs.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I would not like to send out signals to drug smugglers that we only have one boat to look after the coast of Ireland.