Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Customs and Excise service will be fully resourced to deal effectively with stemming the supply of cocaine to the south east (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5461/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, drug abuse is a national and not just a regional problem. The memorandum of understanding which was signed by both the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Minister for Finance in January 1996 provides that the Customs and Excise service of the Revenue Commissioners has primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of controlled drugs intended to be smuggled or illegally imported into the State. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the customs and excise service continually reviews operational approaches and resources devoted to the prevention of illegal drug importation at ports and airports and along our coastline. As regards cocaine, I am advised that, in 2004, the Customs and Excise service seized 47 kg. of cocaine with a street value of €3.5 million.

In June 2004, the Revenue deployed a new enforcement resource with the launch of the first customs vessel, the RCC Suirbhéir, to patrol our coastline in close co-operation with the navalservice. The vessel regularly takes part in operations along the south-east coast. The drugs watch programme, where customs work in partnership and on a confidential basis with coastal communities to raise awareness of drug smuggling and to gather intelligence, has also been revitalised.

In addition, co-operation with other law enforcement agencies has been enhanced. Last year customs participated in 30 international operations, many of them resulting in the seizure of drugs and the arrest of those involved in their importation. A customs officer has been assigned to the Europol national unit since 2001, and the commissioners have recently decided to seek the nomination of a customs officer as liaison officer with Europol in The Hague.

In the south east there are dedicated customs teams based in Waterford and Rosslare whose primary focus is the prevention of smuggling. During 2004 those teams were involved in 20 seizures of drugs, with a total street value of over €6 million, and those results are indicative of the major effort by Revenue authorities in the area.

Customs management in the south east has increased manpower, modernised facilities and experimented with new operational tactics at key ports. Customs continue to have success in preventing imports of hard drugs.

The Revenue will continue to play its part in co-operation with the Garda and other State agencies to combat drug smuggling and to support the national drugs strategy. I am advised by the Revenue that the question of resource deployment is kept under ongoing review.